Odisha Sets Ambitious Irrigation Target for 2036 Centenary Year
In a significant announcement that outlines the state's agricultural roadmap, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi declared on Thursday that the government aims to bring 90% of the state's cultivable land under irrigation by its centenary year in 2036. This ambitious vision includes creating irrigation facilities for an additional 15 lakh hectares over the next five years, marking a substantial expansion of agricultural infrastructure across the region.
Key Projects Driving Irrigation Expansion
Speaking at the state-level Pani Panchayat Fortnight-2026 event held at the Lok Seva Bhawan Convention Centre in Bhubaneswar, CM Majhi highlighted the steady progress of several critical irrigation initiatives. These include:
- The Khairibandhan barrage project in Mayurbhanj district
- The Upper Lanth irrigation project in Balangir
- The innovative Sandul underground pipeline system
- The Brutanga irrigation project in Nayagarh
Alongside these specific projects, the Chief Minister emphasized that numerous reservoir and canal works are progressing across the state, demonstrating the government's comprehensive approach to water infrastructure development.
Transforming Agriculture Through Pani Panchayats
CM Majhi stressed that agriculture, economic development, and overall progress are impossible without proper water management. He credited the Pani Panchayat system with bringing transformative change to Odisha's agricultural sector, significantly improving farmers' livelihoods through equitable and efficient water distribution.
The Chief Minister noted that while traditional irrigation methods often led to substantial water wastage, the Pani Panchayat framework has ensured more balanced and efficient utilization of available water resources. Currently, 40,380 Pani Panchayats are functioning across Odisha, collectively managing irrigation over 24.12 lakh hectares of agricultural land.
Five-Year Implementation Strategy
Detailing the government's implementation plan, Majhi outlined how the 15 lakh hectares of additional land will be brought under irrigation within the next five years through:
- Large, medium, and minor irrigation projects
- Advanced lift and mega lift irrigation systems
- Strategic construction of check dams across the state
Technology Integration and Climate Resilience
To promote technology adoption in the irrigation sector, the Chief Minister revealed that the Institute of Water Management has been engaged to deploy IoT-enabled digital water measurement and soil-moisture sensing systems. This technological integration represents a forward-looking approach to precision agriculture.
Majhi emphasized that a prosperous Odisha cannot be achieved without prosperous farmers, calling upon agricultural communities to increase their income through crop diversification, including cultivation of vegetables, fruits, and flowers. The state government is implementing several schemes to make farmers self-reliant, with special focus on:
- Climate-resilient agricultural practices
- Use of resilient seed varieties
- Technology-driven farming methods under the Odisha Integrated Irrigation Project for Climate Resilient Agriculture
Recent Progress and Future Investments
According to the Economic Survey 2024-25, Odisha has already demonstrated significant progress in irrigation coverage, expanding from 62.6 lakh hectares in 2019-20 to 72.2 lakh hectares in 2023-24 across both kharif and rabi seasons. This represents approximately 79% of the gross cropped area currently under irrigation.
To further boost irrigation coverage and agricultural productivity, the state has initiated 94 new irrigation projects involving an investment of Rs 8,420 crore. These developments build upon the legislative foundation established through the Odisha Pani Panchayat Act, 2002, and subsequent amendments that have extended equal rights and opportunities to women, fishermen, and other water users across the state.
CM Majhi's comprehensive announcement positions irrigation expansion as central to Odisha's agricultural transformation, with the 2036 target representing a milestone in the state's journey toward sustainable agricultural development and farmer prosperity.
