Rewa, Sep 21 (IANS) The upcoming completion of the Sleemanabad Tunnel and other irrigation projects is set to significantly expand irrigation coverage in Madhya Pradesh’s Rewa district, with around 1.32 lakh hectares expected to benefit, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said on Monday.
Addressing farmers through video conferencing from the Mantralaya during the Balram Krishi Mahotsav organised in Rewa, Yadav said the flow of Narmada water into the district would provide a major boost to farming while also improving drinking water availability.
“Once the Sleemanabad Tunnel is completed, the sacred waters of the Narmada River will reach the fields of Rewa, enhancing irrigation and drinking water facilities in the region,” he stated.
The Chief Minister said irrigation projects being implemented in Teonthar, Lonhi, Sirmour and Semariya would collectively bring about 1.32 lakh hectares under irrigation. The expansion is expected to provide farmers with greater flexibility to diversify crops and adopt higher-value agricultural activities.
Rewa has traditionally been an important agricultural district, with farmers cultivating paddy, wheat, gram, lentil, linseed and soybean. Yadav said the district was now witnessing a broader shift towards horticulture and natural farming, with guava, amla and jackfruit among the prominent horticultural crops.
The government is also promoting crop diversification by encouraging the cultivation of Kodo and Kutki under the State Millet Mission, linking millet production to both farm income and nutritional security.
“Rewa farmers are moving beyond traditional farming and setting new benchmarks in horticulture and natural farming,” Yadav said, urging them to adopt natural farming.
To support this transition, Rewa is developing a 1,000-hectare Natural Farming Cluster. The Natural Farming Training Centre at the Basaman Mama Cow Sanctuary is helping farmers learn natural farming methods and prepare inputs such as Jeevamrut and Ghan Jeevamrut. Yadav said the Basaman Mama Cow Sanctuary was also contributing to cattle conservation and rural self-reliance, creating scope for integrating livestock activities with farming.
The Chief Minister also reiterated that the state government would bear registration expenses for around 50 lakh leaseholders who possess lease documents but lack formal registration.
–IANS
pd/dan