MUMBAI: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said that micro-irrigation for agriculture will not only save water but also increase the productivity.His government had also stepped up efforts to complete the incomplete irrigation projects, Fadnavis said in the second episode of TV show "Mi Mukhyamantri Boltoy" (This is CM speaking), aired by Doordarshan's Sahyadri channel and other Marathi channels today. "Micro-irrigation not only saves water, but experience tells us that it also raises productivity," he said.In the first phase of micro-irrigation, only the required amount of water is given to crops after soil testing. The dose of water is increased in the second phase, he said, answering a question by Madhukar Pawar, a farmer.During the program, the CM answers people's questions, sent by email, WhatsApp or post. "We need Rs 80,000 crore to finish incomplete irrigation projects. State- and district-level committees have been set up for the technical evaluation of projects...The Centre has agreed to provide assistance of Rs 26,000 crore.

Source: Economic Times April 16, 2017 14:26 UTC