BENGALURU: The state government on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with seven private sector companies for procuring high-value agricultural and horticultural produce, and building farmer capacity at Ramthal in Bagalkot district.
The first phase of the project was approved from the State government in August 2012, for an estimated cost of Rs 786.11 crore. “The interaction with farmers started only after six MoUs were signed with the private sector in July 2017. All the 24,000 hectares is being utilized. We are waiting for the time slot of Chief Minister to inaugurate it officially,” said Rochi Khemka, Co-lead, Global partnerships & India Program.
This engagement is a part of the Drip-to-Market Agro Corridor (DMAC), a large-scale initiative on connecting drip irrigated areas with market linkages, conceptualized by the State Government in partnership with 2030 Water Resources Group (2030 WRG).
“The state government is committed to improve agro-economics of farmers in Ramthal and other drip irrigation projects. Assured water supply coupled with efficient water use, not only supports farmers to move towards higher value crops, it also mitigates supply chain risks for agribusiness companies,” said Anjum Parwez, Managing Director, Krishna Bhagya Jala Nigam Ltd, Water Resources Department.
The Ramthal drip irrigation project is one of the world’s largest fully automated, first of its kind, micro irrigation projects covering 24,000 hectaresof command area to reach 15,000 beneficiaries.
