The Water Resources Department of Odisha organised a one-day discussion forum titled “Group Awareness and Preparation for Adopting Pressurised Pipe-Based Irrigation Process” at the Convention Centre in Lok Seva Bhawan today.
The event brought together international and national organisations, leading educational institutions, grassroots members of block- and district-level Pani Panchayats, and progressive farmers from across the state to exchange experiences and ideas on efficient water use in agriculture, expanding irrigation coverage, and increasing rural farmers’ incomes.
Principal Secretary of the Water Resources Department, Shubha Sharma, IAS, stressed the importance of community and public participation in popularising pressurised pipe-based irrigation systems. She highlighted that the approach would minimise water wastage, ensure equitable distribution, and deliver sustainable growth in crop production.
Dr Alok Sikka, India Representative of the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), joined virtually to share global best practices in water management and explain how pressurised pipe systems enable water-efficient farming for smallholder farmers.
Professor Dr Deepak Khare from IIT Roorkee also participated online, shedding light on the technical aspects and long-term benefits of pressurised irrigation, noting its potential to significantly enhance crop yields and farmer incomes.
Department engineers, including Chief Engineer (Planning & Design) Lingaraj Gouda and Chief Engineer (Drainage) Abinash Raul, delivered detailed presentations on grassroots implementation of the system.
Abha Mishra, State Head of UNDP, presented in simple terms the vital role of pressurised pipe irrigation in climate-resilient agriculture and water conservation, expressing optimism about its long-term benefits for rural farmers.
The session opened with a welcome address by Additional Secretary and Director of OIIPCRA, Rashmi Ranjan Nayak, who outlined the forum’s objectives.
A panel discussion featured prominent scientists, including Dr R.K. Panda (ICAR), Dr Kishore Behera (ICAR-DA), Dr Praveen Jhakar (SIWAR), and Professor Ratnakar Swain (NIT Rourkela). Progressive farmers and Pani Panchayat representatives shared practical experiences and field-level challenges, while experts addressed their questions.
Senior officials, including Additional Secretary and Managing Director of OLIC, Manasi Nimbalk, attended the event along with other chief engineers and department leaders.
The workshop served as a key platform to build awareness and readiness for wider adoption of pressurised pipe-based irrigation across Odisha, aligning with the goals of sustainable agriculture and water security.
