Improved performance in Agriculture and related fields is the key to unlock the tremendous potential of the rural areas of Tamil Nadu. In this direction, the Tamil Nadu Irrigated Agriculture Modernization and Water Bodies Restoration and Management (TN IAMWARM) is a unique World Bank funded project implemented with the prime motive of maximizing the productivity of water leading to improved farm incomes and products. Under this project, 63 selected sub basins are to be covered in a period of six years (2007-2013) with Water Resources Organization (WRO), PWD, Govt. of Tamil Nadu as the Nodal Agency. Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), one among the line departments implementing TN-IAMWARM Project, mainly concentrate on the transfer of water saving and improved production technologies of major crops of the respective sub basins.
The programme is implemented in 4 phases as follows:
» Phase I – 09 sub basins commencing 2007
» Phase II – 16 sub basins commencing 2008
» Phase III - 25 sub basins commencing 2010
» Phase IV – 04 sub basins commencing 2011
Based on the major crops of each sub basin, activities were formulated in convergence with line departments as project mode and mission mode. System of Rice Intensification (SRI) and Precision Farming (PF) were the major components demonstrated in all the sub basins in the context of water saving and increased productivity. Introduction of pulses in irrigated condition and rice fallow situation was also in demonstrated largely in the sub basin. Improved Production Technologies (IPT) were also introduced in less water consuming crops like maize, sunflower, cotton and groundnut. E-Velanmai is one of the new participatory ICT tool was also introduced on pilot basis.
The broader objective of the Project is to achieve sustainable economic growth as well as poverty alleviation through maximizing productivity of water.
The IAMWARM project will support the investment in (1)Improving irrigation service delivery including adoption of modern water-saving irrigation technologies and agricultural practices (2) Agricultural intensification and diversification (3) Enhancing market access and agri-business opportunities, and (4) Strengthening institutions dealing with water resources management.
Being one of the line departments involved in the "Irrigated Agriculture Modernization and Water Bodies Restoration and Management (IAMWARM)" Project, TNAU mainly concentrates on transfer of technologies for maximizing production per unit of water and land leading to increased farm income. The TNAU component will be operated by the Director, Water Technology Centre, Coimbatore as Nodal Officer through consultancy mode.
A separate IAMWARM Project cell has been created at Water Technology Centre for this purpose. It consists of scientists of different disciplines and they will guide, execute and monitor the delineated activities at sub basins. One scientist either from Research Station or KVK located in the respective sub basin will be the leader for the sub basin activities. The unemployed Agriculture / Horticulture / Agricultural Engineering graduates with Masters degree are being recruited to implement the action plan finalized for each sub basin. Apart from these, the Head of the Research Stations / KVK and Technical Directors will also supervise the programme implementation.
