Madhesh Province Struggles with Irrigation Crisis Despite Government Promises
Summary
More than half of Madhesh Province's agricultural land lacks irrigation facilities despite significant government investment in irrigation infrastructure, causing growing economic risks for farmers dependent on rainwater.
Key Points
- Madhesh Province has about 602,000 hectares of arable land, but only 49% has access to irrigation.
- Many irrigation structures like deep boring units and tube wells remain non-operational due to lack of electricity, maintenance, and management.
- The provincial government distributes shallow tube wells to farmers but the coverage and effectiveness are limited.
- Farmers and officials emphasize the need for sustainable management, regular maintenance, power supply, and technology-driven solutions to resolve the irrigation crisis.
