Haryana Greenlights Major Solar-Powered Micro Irrigation Initiative
In a significant advancement for sustainable farming and scientific water conservation, the State Level Sanctioning Committee (SLSC), chaired by Haryana Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi, on Wednesday gave the green light to four community-based solar-powered integrated micro irrigation projects. These projects fall under the purview of the Micro Irrigation and Command Area Development Authority (MICADA), Haryana, marking a pivotal step in the state's agricultural modernization efforts.
Project Details and Financial Investment
With a substantial total investment of Rs 402.41 crore, the initiatives are set to be implemented across 61 canal outlets, spanning 20 blocks in the districts of Bhiwani, Jhajjar, Kurukshetra, and Mahendragarh. Scheduled for phased completion between the financial years 2026-27 and 2028-29, this ambitious endeavor will bring 11,040 hectares of culturable command area under advanced micro-irrigation systems. Directly benefiting 8,926 farmers across 94 villages, the projects aim to enhance agricultural productivity while promoting environmental sustainability.
Emphasis on Water Management and Climate Resilience
Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi underscored the critical importance of integrated supply and demand management of water to tackle climate variability and the alarming decline in groundwater levels. He issued directives to relevant departments to ensure timely execution, rigorous monitoring, and effective coordination, guaranteeing that farmers reap the benefits within the stipulated timeframe. Rastogi also urged officers to engage directly with farmers in the field, sharing best practices to foster adoption and success.
Comprehensive Reforms and Transparency Measures
The committee conducted a thorough review and approved 16 comprehensive reform agendas aligned with the PDMC (Per Drop More Crop) Guidelines, 2025. These reforms focus on:
- Strengthening transparency, accountability, and farmer protection.
- Integrating the MICADA portal with the GST portal for digital authentication of invoices to prevent fake or inflated billing.
- Implementing a component-wise bank guarantee mechanism to ensure financial accountability of vendors.
- Including GST as part of the admissible subsidy in accordance with established norms.
Rastogi highlighted that these measures are designed to build a robust framework for efficient project management and farmer welfare.
Building on Past Successes
Notably, between 2022-23 and 2024-25, MICADA successfully executed 99 NABARD-funded Micro Irrigation Fund schemes across 18 districts, with a total cost of Rs 563.43 crore. During this period, auxiliary infrastructure was fully completed, and micro-irrigation systems were installed over nearly 40% of the targeted area. The newly approved projects build upon this strong foundation, reaffirming Haryana's steadfast commitment to climate-resilient, technology-driven, and farmer-centric agricultural development, as emphasized by Rastogi.
This initiative represents a holistic approach to addressing water scarcity and enhancing farm incomes through renewable energy and advanced irrigation technologies, positioning Haryana as a leader in sustainable agricultural practices.
