BANKE, June 23: Despite the monsoon arriving nearly a week late, farmers in Banke district are not deterred from paddy plantation, thanks to the water supply provided through the Sikta Irrigation Project.
Farmers now have access to an uninterrupted water supply through the project's canal system, giving a significant boost to paddy plantation ahead of the official National Paddy Day observed on Asar 15 of Nepali month.
Local farmers are awash with happiness after the Project began supplying water to the Nawalpur area of Raptisonari Rural Municipality-3 from last Sunday.
They rolled up their sleeves and started paddy plantation from Monday. Chandra Bahadur Thapa took the lead and became the first farmer to plant paddy saplings in the area.
Thapa shared that paddy has already been planted on around 5 kattha and 14 dhur of land in the locality.
Plantation completed in 50% of paddy fields in 14 districts
Expressing his happiness, Thapa chimed in, "There is no longer any concern about the fields remaining barren after the Sikta Project started supplying water. We now have an opportunity to plant paddy earlier than in previous years. We are expecting bumper yields as plantation will be carried out on time this year."
Farmers say the irrigation facility has significantly reduced their dependence on monsoon rains for farming.
According to the Project, irrigation facilities have so far been extended to around 22,000 hectares of land in Banke district.
Once construction of the Duduwa Branch Canal is completed, irrigation coverage is expected to expand to between 30,000 and 32,000 hectares.
At present, water is being supplied from the headworks through the eastern and western main canals, said Project engineer Bikash Bista.
Water is being distributed through the 317-metre-long dam structure, he added.
While water is being supplied to branch canals in Fattepur and Rajkulo (Royal Canal) in the eastern command area, irrigation water is also being delivered to Siddhaniya, Akkalgharwa, Gohawa, Pidari, Parsenipur and Guruwagaun, among other branch canals, he informed.
According to him, around 16,000 hectares of land are expected to receive irrigation facilities once the Duduwa Branch Canal is completed.
"If work on the Project continues at the current pace, we will be able to provide irrigation facilities to around 43,000 hectares of land within the next three years," he said.
Initiated in the fiscal year 2062/63 BS, the Project is scheduled for completion by fiscal year 2089/90 BS. As per the revised master plan, the updated project cost stands at Rs 52.64 billion. The Project aims to provide reliable irrigation facilities to 43,675 hectares of land in Banke district.
The Project is expected to benefit around 400,000 people from nearly 17,000 households.
Engineer Bista expressed confidence that, with paddy plantation beginning earlier than usual and progressing enthusiastically, plantation activities in areas served by the Project will likely be completed by the end of Asar (mid-July).
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