The Haryana government has introduced a ground-breaking scheme that seeks to promote crop diversification among farmers with the aim of conserving water. Named the Jal Hi Jeevan Hai Scheme, it encourages farmers to shift from water-intensive crops such as paddy to lesser consuming ones like Maize, Arhar and so on. This comes in response to the state’s rapidly depleting water table, which falls about 1 meter each year due to the continuous cultivation of paddy.
The Inception of the Jal Hi Jeevan Hai Scheme
Devised by the Haryana government, the Jal Hi Jeevan Hai Scheme targets the issue of water conservation at its core. The state’s agricultural practices have been marked by a long-standing dependence on water-guzzling crops like paddy. This has resulted in a drastic plunge in the water table – approximately 1 meter per annum. It’s this alarming rate of depletion that led to the creation of the Jal Hi Jeevan Hai Scheme.
The Aim of the Scheme
The primary goal of this scheme is twofold. First, it aims to encourage farmers to adopt an alternative approach to farming by opting for crops that require less water, such as Maize, Arhar, etc. Second, in doing so, it hopes to conserve water and reduce the strain on the state’s already overtaxed water resources.
Benefits for Farmers
The Jal Hi Jeevan Hai Scheme doesn’t merely promote crop diversification. It also offers a host of benefits to incentivize farmers. For instance, an amount of Rs. 2000 per acre will be deposited into the farmers’ accounts in two stages: Rs. 200 at the time of registration and the remaining Rs. 1800 upon verification of sowing data within two months. Furthermore, farmers under the scheme will be provided with hybrid seeds free of cost, underscoring the government’s commitment to the scheme.
| Benefits | Description |
|---|---|
| Financial Support | Farmers receive Rs. 2000 per acre in two phases; Rs. 200 at registration and Rs. 1800 post-verification of sowing data. |
| Seed Support | The scheme provides farmers with free-of-cost hybrid seeds. |
| Procurement Guarantee | All crops diversified under the scheme will be completely procured by the State Government. |
The Crop Procurement Process
To ensure that farmers are not disadvantaged by the switch to less common crops, the Haryana government has pledged to fully procure all crops produced under the Jal Hi Jeevan Hai Scheme. This guarantees a ready market for the farmers’ produce, ensuring that their efforts to conserve water are supported in a sustainable and economically viable manner. The procurement process ensures that farmers are not left to deal with the repercussions of switching crop varieties without support, thereby further encouraging them to participate in the water conservation initiative.