Andhra: Life-saving irrigation scheme launched to save horticultural orchards.

Puttaparthi: Department of Horticulture is implementing life-saving irrigation (LSI) scheme to safeguard orchards threatened by depleting groundwater, dry borewells, intense heat and deficient rainfall. Eligible farmers will receive tanker-supplied water along with a government subsidy covering up to 80 per cent of irrigation costs.

Water requirements and maximum monthly subsidies per acre are: Sweet Orange – 20,000 litres (4 tankers) once a week (max 4 times), subsidy Rs 9,984; Mango – 15,000 litres (3 tankers) every 10 days (max 3 times), subsidy Rs 5,616; and Areca Nut – 25,000 litres (5 tankers) once a week (max 4 times), subsidy Rs 12,480.

Each tanker of 5,000 litres costs Rs 780.The scheme is limited to a maximum of five acres per farming family. Only farmers, whose borewells have completely dried up and whose crops face withering are eligible. Applications must be submitted at the nearest Rythu Seva Kendra. After scrutiny by horticulture officers and approval by the District Horticulture Officer, work orders are issued. Payments are processed fortnightly through the District Collector and the Directorate of Horticulture.

A dedicated app with GPS tracking of tankers will ensure transparency once launched after field review. Eligible farmers are urged to apply through Rythu Seva Kendras as soon as the process begins.