Virendra Singh Rawat / Lucknow
The World Bank Group will promote micro irrigation in the sugar belt of Uttar Pradesh, which is India’s top sugarcane producer.
Uttar Pradesh Sugar Mills Association (UPSMA) and World Bank have joined hands to establish a long term relationship for the benefit of sugarcane farmers in 38 districts.
In this regard, World Bank supported Water Resources Group (WRG) will work with UPSMA to implement ‘UP Pragati Agri Water Accelerator Programme’ to develop sustainable ‘Micro Irrigation Model’ for the targetted farmers.
‘2030 WRG’ is a public, private, civil society multi-donor trust fund hosted by the World Bank Group. It supports stakeholders in collective decision-making and in co-designing out-of-the-box solutions that promote strong socio-economic development across all sectors connected to water.
On Thursday, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between ‘2030 WRG’ and UPSMA in the presence of UP additional chief secretary, sugar and excise, Sanjay R Bhoosreddy; and UPSMA president C B Patodia.
A workshop for sugar mills, farmers and other stakeholders was organised on the occasion. Those present also included Ajith Radhakrishnan, Country Coordinator-India 2030 WRG; and Dr R K Tomar, Director, UP Horticulture and Food Processing Department.
WRG gave a presentation about their pilot project in ‘Drip Irrigation’ while Gujarat Green Revolution Company (GGRC), Ahmedabad, presented the ‘New Single Window Delivery Model’ at the workshop.
The UP micro irrigation project will promote water efficient practices in sugarcane cultivation, promote mechanisation of sugarcane farming and de-carbonise sugar value chain, through promotion of low carbon ergonomic operations.
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UPSMA is a premier sugar organisation of private sugar mills in UP. It acts as a vital interface among different stakeholders viz. farmers, government and industry.