Bhopal: The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural
Development (NABARD) has sanctioned two major irrigation projects in Madhya
Pradesh under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF-XXXII).
The
first project, the Kukshi Micro Lift Irrigation Project in
Dhar district, has been sanctioned financial assistance of ₹1,500 crore.
The project will provide irrigation facilities to a command area of 75,000
hectares across 247 villages in the Kukshi, Manawar,
Gandhwani and Dahi tehsils of Dhar district, benefiting approximately 1.40
lakh farmers.
The
second project, the Chinki-Boras Barrage Integrated Multipurpose
Project - Part III, has been sanctioned financial assistance of ₹1,106.04
crore. The project will provide irrigation facilities to 50,977
hectares across 145 villages in the districts of
Narsinghpur, Raisen and Narmadapuram, benefiting approximately 30,618
farmers. The project also includes the development of the 25 MW
Chinki Hydropower Plant.
These
projects are expected to enhance agricultural productivity, promote crop
diversification, improve water-use efficiency, and strengthen farmers’
resilience to climate change, droughts, and rainfall variability.
Since
its inception in 1995, the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) has
served as a key instrument for financing rural infrastructure development in
Madhya Pradesh. As on date, NABARD has sanctioned cumulative financial
assistance of ₹47,749 crore under RIDF in the State, out of
which ₹38,624 crore has been disbursed. The projects financed
under RIDF span sectors such as agriculture, irrigation, rural connectivity,
drinking water, social infrastructure and other rural development initiatives.
Sharing
this information, Smt. C. Saraswathi, Chief General Manager, NABARD,
stated that NABARD remains committed to supporting the development of rural
infrastructure through RIDF and ensuring inclusive and sustainable growth in
rural India.