Ramnath Thakur noted that the state governments have also been asked to set aside 5-10 per cent of funds under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana for measures to protect agriculture from unpredictable monsoons.
Hyderabad: Despite progress in the expansion of irrigation, 44.2 per cent of India’s farmland remains un-irrigated, relying solely on rainfall, said Union minister of state for agriculture Ramnath Thakur. He shared this data in the Lok Sabha while responding to a question from Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi.
Over the years, irrigation has improved, covering 55 per cent of the total cropped area. However, unirrigated land has grown from 11.6 million hectares in 2003-04 to 97 million hectares in 2022-23, based on reports from states and union territories, said the minister. To address the problem, the central government is working on several initiatives to reduce dependence on rain-fed farming. These include building better irrigation systems, encouraging water conservation and developing climate-resilient crops.
Ramnath Thakur noted that the state governments have also been asked to set aside 5-10 per cent of funds under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana for measures to protect agriculture from unpredictable monsoons. This includes constructing water storage structures and improving irrigation facilities. Additionally, the government is promoting new climate-resilient seed varieties. In February 2025, a six-year programme was launched to boost pulse and cotton production, aiming to reduce imports and strengthen resilience against changing weather patterns.
