Telangana is the first state in India to roll out such a comprehensive irrigation-plus-livelihood package specifically for RoFR beneficiaries, moving beyond mere title distribution.
Indira Soura Giri Jala Vikasam is a flagship initiative launched by the Telangana government to transform and empower tribal agriculture by providing free solar-powered irrigation systems to tribal farmers.
Simple Explanation
- The scheme provides free solar pumps (5 to 7.5 HP) to tribal farmers to help irrigate their horticultural crops and improve agricultural productivity.
- It specifically targets tribal farmers who were granted land under the Recognition of Forest Rights (RoFR) Act, but also includes eligible non-RoFR forest lands.
Key Objectives
- Irrigation Coverage: Aims to cover six lakh acres (600,000 acres) over five years (2025–2030), benefiting over 2.1 lakh (~210,000) tribal farmers.
- Economic Upliftment: Focused on sustainable development and improved livelihoods for tribal communities through reliable irrigation and agricultural support.
Major Features
- 100% Subsidy: Solar pumps are provided free of cost to eligible farmers.
- Budget Allocation: The government designated a ₹12,600 crore budget for the scheme.
- Holistic Support: In addition to irrigation, the scheme supports:
- Drip irrigation systems
- Providing quality saplings for horticultural crops
- Interim income support via intercropping until main crops mature
- Comprehensive Development: Goes beyond merely granting land by enabling its productive use through water access and crop diversification.
Implementation Details
- Target Group: Primarily tribal farmers with RoFR pattas (titles); around 2.3 lakh patta holders over 6.69 lakh acres in Telangana.
- Off-Grid Solar Pumps: Focus on off-grid solar-powered solutions to address remote locations.
- Coordination: Multiple departments (Forest, Agriculture, Horticulture, Energy, Rural Development, etc.) involved for seamless execution.
- Project Management: District-level implementation under collectors and special Project Monitoring Units (PMUs) in each district, with further oversight by ITDA (Integrated Tribal Development Agency) or District Tribal Development Officers where applicable.
- Pilot Projects: Initiated in select villages with geological surveys, borewell drilling, and solar pump installation.
Summary Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Beneficiaries | 2.1 lakh+ tribal farmers (RoFR patta holders) |
| Irrigation Coverage | 6 lakh acres over 5 years |
| Solar Pumps | 5–7.5 HP, provided free of cost |
| Budget | ₹12,600 crore |
| Support | Drip irrigation, saplings, intercropping assistance |
| Implementation | Multi-departmental, district PMUs, ITDA/tribal office oversight |
| Unique Feature | First-of-its-kind for RoFR beneficiaries; focus on both irrigation access and overall economic upliftment |
In essence:
Indira Soura Giri Jala Vikasam is a transformative initiative aimed at sustainable agricultural upliftment for Telangana’s tribal farmers through free solar-powered irrigation over a massive scale, alongside holistic support for horticulture and income stability.
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