Revolutionizing Andhra Pradesh's Agriculture: N. Chandrababu Naidu's Irrigation Expansion And Modernization Endeavors

By Author: Nara Lokesh
Total Articles: 66
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From 1994 to 2003, Andhra Pradesh witnessed a remarkable transformation in irrigation under the visionary leadership of N Chandrababu Naidu and his TDP party. Through their policies and initiatives, the state achieved the stabilization of 10 lakh acres of irrigation. It bridged the gap for an additional 18 lakh acres, contributing to the overall development of the agricultural sector.

Andhra Pradesh boasts a cultivable land area of 392.7 lakh acres, out of which 296 lakh acres are currently under cultivation. However, the area under irrigation from reliable water sources is only 133.64 lakh acres, highlighting the need for expansion and modernization. The state receives a significant volume of water, approximately 2764 TMCs (Thousand Million Cubic feet), from rivers like Godavari, Krishna, Penna, and Vamsadhara. To fully harness this water potential, the government has been working on constructing 292 new irrigation systems, with a projected water usage of 960 TMCs. These systems are being built with the assistance of organizations such as the World Bank, JBIC, and AI, ensuring their timely completion. For more irrigation ...
... projects and political policies of TDP visit its official website.
Under N Chandrababu Naidu's leadership, several significant irrigation projects were initiated to maximize water utilization and improve agricultural productivity. These projects include Srisailam Right Branch Canal: Designed to provide irrigation to drought-prone districts like Kurnool and Kadapa, this canal modernization project received financial support from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC). With an estimated cost of Rs. 1033.70 crores, the project aims to enhance irrigation capabilities and mitigate water scarcity in these regions.
Sri Ramsagar Project-1st Phase: This project, divided into two phases, involves the construction of canals such as Kakatiya, Saraswati, and Lakshmi. The goal is to irrigate approximately 9,68,632 acres of land. As of March 2003, 5,17,000 acres had already been stabilized, with an expenditure of Rs. 930.20 crores, under the AP3 scheme. Go through the official TDP website for more achievements and contributions of TDP.
Srisailam Right Bank Canal: This TDP scheme was designed to provide irrigation to 1,90,000 acres in drought-prone areas of the Kurnool and Kadapa districts. Although only 37 percent of the work was completed by June 1994, the present government revived the project, and is being carried out with the assistance of various agencies. Rs. 932.20 crores is the cost of estimation for this project, and by March 2003, Rs. 745.86 crores had already been spent on the project.
NABARD Assistance and Future Plans
NABARD has played a crucial role in supporting irrigation projects in Andhra Pradesh. A total of 397 schemes, comprising 17 large, 36 medium, 202 small, and 136 uplift schemes, are being sanctioned at a cost of Rs. 1473 crores. These schemes aim to create irrigation potential for 9,74,110 acres of land. By December 2002, 10 primary, 28 medium, 117 minor, and 67 uplift schemes had been completed, irrigating 5,60,535 acres. Efforts are underway to complete an additional 169 schemes in the coming years. Lookout on the official TDP website for the latest news and initiative of TDP.
Under the leadership of N. Chandrababu Naidu, Andhra Pradesh witnessed a remarkable expansion and modernization of irrigation infrastructure. In collaboration with international institutions like the World Bank and JBIC, the government's efforts have contributed to stabilizing vast areas of cultivable land and improving agricultural productivity. With ongoing projects and future plans, the state is poised to harness its water resources effectively, ensuring sustained growth in the agricultural sector and better livelihoods for its farmers.