Bhubaneswar: In a major push to expand irrigation in water-deficit parts of Odisha, the state Cabinet on Monday approved an Rs 8,653.04-crore scheme to install 1.5 lakh deep borewells across 26 districts, with the government targeting irrigation coverage of 7.5 lakh hectares over the next five years.
The scheme will be implemented from 2026-27 to 2030-31 using the State’s own resources and will cover 256 blocks. The deep borewells will be equipped with both solar and non-solar pumping systems, depending on local requirements.
The initiative particularly targets regions where conventional flow irrigation has limited reach, including highland and hilly areas, Western Odisha and the KBK districts. Water scarcity in these areas has often restricted agricultural activity, particularly during the Rabi season.
According to the Water Resources Department, expanding access to assured irrigation is expected to help farmers increase cropping intensity and reduce their dependence on rainfall. The government also expects improved water availability to encourage farmers to take up a wider range of crops and move towards commercial agriculture.
The scheme is designed not only to increase the area under irrigation but also to improve farm productivity and input-use efficiency. Availability of assured water is expected to support greater adoption of farm mechanisation and enable farmers to make better use of agricultural inputs.
A key objective of the programme is to reduce the vulnerability of farming households dependent on rainfed agriculture. The government expects improved irrigation facilities to strengthen farm incomes and overall household welfare.
The initiative could also have implications beyond agriculture, particularly in areas where inadequate irrigation contributes to seasonal migration. By creating more opportunities for cultivation during the Rabi season, the government aims to reduce farmers’ dependence on migration for livelihood.
With the installation of 1.5 lakh deep borewell projects planned over five years, the scheme is expected to significantly expand irrigation infrastructure in some of Odisha’s most water-stressed agricultural regions and strengthen the state’s efforts towards more productive and diversified farming.
