Water is the lifeline of agriculture, and timely irrigation often determines a farmer’s success or struggle. In Odisha, the Water Resources Department has been working tirelessly to ensure that cultivable lands receive sufficient water, helping farmers increase productivity and improve their livelihoods. In a significant achievement under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) project, irrigation facilities have been extended to 33,968 hectares of farmland in the Tatiguda village area under Left Bank Canal 2-R Outlet in Malkangiri Block of Malkangiri district during 2024–25.
Earlier, farmers in Tatiguda could cultivate only paddy during the Kharif season, as the lack of irrigation prevented them from growing second or third crops. With the new canal system, farmers can now diversify their cultivation to include groundnuts, maize, vegetables, and watermelons, ensuring income throughout the year. The project has directly benefited over 18 families and indirectly supported several others in the region.
Presentation -Dibyabharati Nayak