MULTAN - Over 1,630 acres have drip, sprinkler irrigation systems under the high efficiency irrigation systems (HEIS) project in South Punjab. Fifty-five per cent of the target has been achieved in pursuit of installing modern irrigation systems at 3,000 acre targeted area in South Punjab for year 2013-14, said Rais Ahmad Rais, the Multan region project director for HEIS on Monday. High efficiency irrigation systems can reduce the cost of production by 30-40 per cent and increase production by 20-100 per cent. Rais said that 300 growers had also been given laser land levellers through a draw and remaining 100 farmers would get the levellers soon.
The provincial government is providing Rs 225,000 subsidy on each laser land leveller.
He said that 1000 water courses had to be built in 2013-14 including 700 new. Final completion report of 30 per cent of water courses has been received while remaining 70 per cent water courses were completed partially.
Rais said that 110 irrigation schemes had been introduced for non-canal command areas of Thal and riverine areas. Ten schemes would be completed in every district and a sum of Rs 225,000 would be provided as subsidy for water courses for each scheme.
The government would contribute 60 per cent of the overall cost of each scheme for growers having landholding up to 15 acres.
The programme is being executed throughout Punjab to enhance capacity of farmers to get high production at lower costs.