Irrigation in Punjab: Canal Water Reaches Every Field, Bringing Back Smiles on Farmers’ Faces

Thanks to the vision of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab's irrigation system has seen a historic change. While it was difficult to provide water to tail-end fields, today canal water is available in nearly every field. Today, 84% of Punjab's irrigation comes through canal water—compared to merely 68% previously.
This has been the result of the 14-point program being undertaken under the Integrated State Water Plan. In all, 15,914 water channels have been rehabilitated, and water is once again flowing through 916 canals and minors. The arrival of canal water in parched areas which had been dry for 35 to 40 years has revitalized hope in farmers.
The government has installed 2,400 kilometers of underground pipelines, and 30,282 hectares of land is getting irrigated. Farmers are also provided with subsidies of 90% at the group level and 50% at the individual level. In addition, drip and sprinkler irrigation systems have been implemented across 6,000 hectares.
For the sake of promoting water conservation, 300 million liters of treated water daily is being provided to farms under 28 pipeline-based projects. In addition, 160 water harvesting structures have been created in the Kandi area and solar lift irrigation schemes in 125 villages.
This initiative goes beyond just water management stated Chief Minister Mann — it’s a major step toward achieving the vision of delivering canal water to every field, right up to the tail end. Punjab is steadily moving toward becoming a shining example of water conservation and sustainable farming practices.