In the summer season, the most significant challenge for farmers is water scarcity. If their crops do not receive sufficient water, they are ruined, leading to substantial losses for the farmers. The decline in groundwater levels makes irrigation challenging for farmers. Recognizing this issue, the government has taken a crucial step to provide relief to farmers. The government has initiated a plan for digging ponds to help farmers combat water scarcity. Under this scheme, farmers can now dig ponds for irrigation in their fields with financial assistance provided by the government, which offers a subsidy of ₹26,000. Farmers grappling with water scarcity during the summer can benefit from this scheme by constructing ponds in their fields. This initiative ensures that farmers do not face difficulties in irrigating their crops. Additionally, farmers can rear fish in these ponds, potentially earning them a good profit by selling them.
Under this scheme, the government will now offer a subsidy for digging ponds on land even as small as half a hectare. This subsidy will be provided by the agricultural department. Previously, according to the rules, only farmers with one hectare of land or more were eligible for the pond-digging subsidy. This restriction left smaller farmers unable to dig ponds, resulting in inadequate water supply for their crops and subsequent crop damage.
Documents Required for Farmers to Avail the Scheme: This scheme, implemented by the government, is open to all small and marginalized farmers, including those from the SC-ST and minority communities. To apply for this scheme, farmers must possess certain essential documents, including Aadhaar card, caste certificate, residence proof, details of the farmer's bank account, and a mobile number linked to Aadhaar. Additionally, farmers must have documentation related to their land.
Application Procedure: To avail the subsidy under the pond scheme, farmers need to apply online through the e-Mitra portal. After submitting the online application, farmers should visit the agricultural department's office to deposit a hard copy of the required documents. Once administrative approval is granted, the farmers can proceed with the construction of ponds in their fields.
How large will the pond be: Farmers, benefiting from this scheme, can construct a pond in their fields with a size of 600 square meters, equivalent to 20 meters in width, 10 meters in length, and 3 meters in depth. To be eligible for the scheme, farmers must possess at least half a hectare of land. This direct benefit of the scheme can be utilized by small farmers, ensuring they do not face water scarcity. During the rainy season, they can collect an ample supply of water in these ponds.
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