Farmers’ participation helps water resources department in Nashik exceed irrigation revenue target

Nashik: Farmers' active participation has helped the water resources department (WRD) in Nashik collect irrigation water cess in excess of its set target of Rs 7.92 crore for the 2024-25 financial year.
The cess is collected from the farmers for water supplied for irrigation purposes. "The participation of the farmers helped us collect Rs 8.76 crore, which is 110.6% of the set target of Rs 7.92 crore," Rajesh Govardhane, the superintendent of the WRD Nashik, said.
"During the last financial year, we had collected Rs 8.1 crore, which was 78.5% of the set target for the period. The best farmers' participation was seen under the Malegaon irrigation department in Nashik district, which collected 151% of its target. In terms of overall revenue, the highest collection was reported from the Mula irrigation department in Ahilyanagar, which collected irrigation revenue of Rs 2.45 crore (121.5% of its target)," Govardhane said.
According to Govardhane, WRD minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil stressed the need for improving the recovery from the irrigation sector, which consumes 70% of water. The share of water usage for drinking purposes is more than 20%, and that for industrial use is less than 10%.
"WRD's focus is irrigation. Hence, the primary step is to provide water for agriculture. The charges for irrigation are very low, while the charges for industrial and commercial consumption are higher. This is the only source of income for WRD, which has to manage the water supply systems, including canals and distributaries," Govardhane said.
From the water cess collected from irrigation consumers, 50% of the funds are given back to the farmers in the form of maintenance and repairs of the canals, tributaries and all other structures engaged in the water storage and distribution for irrigation purposes.
Regarding the reasons for the improved irrigation recovery, Kailas Patil, a farmer from Malegaon, said there was good monsoon rainfall, which led to good agricultural produce and earnings. "Besides, the WRD minister also stressing on the recovery left no alternatives for the farmers other than to settle the dues," he added.