Budget 2017: Micro-irrigation industry demands better implementation of subsidies
PUNE: Though the Union budget 2017 has proposed to create a micro-irrigation fund of Rs 5000 crore with Nabard, more than increase in funding, the micro irrigation industry in the country expects timely and simplified implementation of the subsidy schemes.
Narendra Rane, marketing director, Finolex Plasson Industries, said, “The creation of the Micro Irrigation Fund is a welcome move. However, what the farmers want urgently is timely and efficient implementation of the subsidy schemes,”

Thought the central government gives about 35% subsidy for micro irrigation systems and state governments add their own subsidy component to it taking the total subsidy to 50% to 100% in different states, the industry and farmers are not happy with implementation of these schemes.

“The government should allow the farmers to first install the system and then apply for the subsidy as it takes very long for clearance of the proposal, which adversely affects the crop,” said Rane. Finolex Plasson is the joint venture company between Finolex group of India and Plasson Ltd from Israel.

Successive governments in the country have failed to increase the areas under irrigation, which still stands at about 40% of the total cropped area of the country. Hence, micro irrigation systems play crucial role as drought mitigation tools. This year, Tamil Nadu, Andra Pradesh and Telangana have already declared droughts as the North East monsoon was not upto mark.
Normally, farmers want to set up the micro irrigation systems, after the monsoon season is over. However, the pre-sanction can take very long. Many a times, the subsidy disbursal is delayed by two to three years after the farmer submits his application.

Source: ECONOMIC TIMES