New Delhi: All the recommendations made during a study carried out by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) at Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Kolkata and Lucknow, on the gap between irrigation potential created and irrigation potential utilized, has been sent to all states by the Ministry of Water Resources.

It has been observed that out of 102 million hectare of irrigation potential created by the end of X Plan, the utilized irrigation potential was of the order of 87.2 million hectare indicating that about 15% of the created irrigation potential remained unutilized.

Considerable increase in the gap between the irrigation potential created and irrigation potential utilized is definitely a matter of serious concern.

Realizing the importance and urgent need for taking appropriate measures for optimally utilizing the created facilities for irrigation, the Ministry awarded studies to IIMs for ascertaining the possible reasons for the gap and identifying the measures for ensuring optimal utilization.

IIMs have identified several reasons for the gap between the created irrigation potential and the irrigation potential utilized. However, the five dominant factors which have been found to contribute considerably to the gap are, lack of proper operation and maintenance, incomplete distribution system, non-completion of command area development, changes from the initially designed cropping pattern and diversion of irrigable land for other purposes.

The two very important factors which need to be addressed on priority are lack of proper operation and maintenance, and incomplete distribution systems.

The reports have been uploaded on the web site of the Ministry of Water Resources and comments were invited from all concerned particularly on the findings and recommendations of the studies.

With a view to further deliberate the findings of the studies, recommendations made by the IIMs and the valuable suggestions received from the State Governments and other stakeholders, a workshop was organized on 17th March 2009 at Delhi.

Representatives from Water Resources Departments / Irrigation Departments / Command Area Departments of various States / Officers from various organizations under the Ministry of Water Resources also participated in the workshop.