Water You Waiting For? Assam’s Ashok Singhal Launches ‘Sakomatha’ to Re-Flow Irrigation Dreams!

Image Source: ANI News

Key Highlights

Assam’s Irrigation Minister Ashok Singhal has officially launched the ‘Sakomatha’ irrigation reconstruction scheme, a strategic initiative aimed at reviving defunct and damaged irrigation infrastructure across the state to improve water availability for farming communities.
The scheme targets restoration and modernization of over 3,900 ongoing and stalled irrigation projects including tube wells, canals, and surface minor irrigation systems, many of which had been rendered non-functional due to flood damage, siltation, and changing river courses.
Sakomatha is part of Assam’s broader five-year irrigation master plan, designed to augment the irrigation potential in the state’s cultivable lands, with current coverage standing near 14% of the gross sown area—a figure targeted for significant enhancement through this effort.
Minister Singhal emphasized the scheme’s focus on boosting reliable irrigation support to sustain multi-crop cultivation and enable round-the-year farming, thereby increasing farmers’ income and reducing dependence on erratic rainfall.
The project adopts innovative, locally adaptable technologies, including mobile, dismantlable water drawing systems piloted successfully in Boko, Assam, facilitating irrigation on small and fragmented landholdings.
Synergistic collaboration between Assam’s Agriculture and Irrigation departments underpins Sakomatha’s implementation framework, ensuring irrigation initiatives closely align with agricultural development plans and farmer needs in designated project areas.
Joint monthly review meetings and frequent field visits by senior officials including Ministers Ashok Singhal and Agriculture Minister Atul Bora aim to closely monitor progress, address challenges, and motivate local communities towards efficient water management.

Background and Need for Sakomatha Scheme

Assam’s agriculture is predominantly rain-fed, with many irrigation systems falling into disrepair due to frequent floods and natural terrain changes. Over 1,500 of the state’s nearly 4,000 irrigation schemes were reported as non-functional as of late 2023, severely limiting water availability.
These constraints curtail crop yields and expose farmers to seasonal drought impacts, highlighted recently by political leaders urging drought declarations amid deficient monsoon and irrigation system failures.
Assam’s gross sown area covers close to 39 lakh hectares, but only about 5.5 lakh hectares were effectively irrigated in the recent agricultural year, underscoring the gap Sakomatha intends to close.
The scheme’s revival and reconstruction effort seeks to reverse this, not only restoring past capacity but employing modern technology and management practices to enhance sustainability.

Key Components and Innovation in Sakomatha

Rehabilitation of defunct canals, rejuvenation of shallow and deep tube wells, repair and expansion of surface minor irrigation schemes
Deployment of innovative, cost-effective irrigation systems like the Rs 9 lakh dismantlable water drawing model developed locally that enables flexible water access especially for marginal farmers
Integration with digital tools such as the Irrigation Khetiyak Bondhu app, which provides real-time data on scheme status and facilitates transparency and farmer engagement
Targeted irrigation support tailored for Kharif and Rabi cropping seasons to optimize water use efficiency and agricultural output

Impact on Agricultural Productivity and Farmer Welfare

By improving irrigation infrastructure robustly state-wide, Sakomatha intends to:
Enable year-round crop cultivation with assured water access, thereby increasing overall farm productivity
Provide a reliable alternative to rain-dependent agriculture, reducing vulnerability to climate variability
Support implementation of Minimum Support Price (MSP) schemes by helping farmers produce better yields and marketable surplus
Encourage adoption of multi-cropping systems, diversified cropping patterns, and allied agri-enterprises

Government’s Vision and Commitment

Minister Ashok Singhal outlined that from 2026 onwards, the focus will intensify to ensure irrigation coverage reaches all farmlands in Assam, integrating innovative solutions and community participation.
The Assam government envisions the irrigation sector as a critical driver for rural economic uplift and food security in the region.
Collaborative efforts between departments and regular high-level monitoring aim to maintain momentum and accountability across districts.

Conclusion

The launch of the Sakomatha irrigation reconstruction scheme by Assam Minister Ashok Singhal marks a vital step toward overcoming longstanding irrigation deficits in the state. By reviving damaged infrastructure, embracing innovative technologies, and fostering interdepartmental cooperation, the scheme is poised to transform Assam’s agricultural landscape, strengthening farmers’ resilience and ensuring sustained agrarian growth. As implementation unfolds with close oversight and community involvement, Sakomatha holds promise to substantially increase irrigated area coverage and enrich the livelihoods of Assam’s farming population.

Sources: Assam Tribune, PGurus, PTI