The Planning Commission on Thursday cleared the investment proposal for modernisation of Haryana’s irrigation network. The project, estimated to cost Rs 115.94 crore (2011 price level), will undertake rehabilitation, renovation and modernisation of critically damaged channels of the State’s irrigation network, a Plan panel release said.

The Karnataka Planters' Association (KPA), which is currently holding its coffee area scientific symposium (CASS) in Israel, plans to adopt kibbutz model of drip irrigation for their plantations.

“After visiting the Naan Dan Kibbutz near Tel Aviv, we were able to get a first-hand experience of irrigation facilities created to raise avocado, citrus, banana and mango plantations, installed by Netafim Ltd, one of the largest drip irrigation company,” said Mr Marvin Rodrigues, Chairman of KPA.

Fishermen held a demonstration in the city on Tuesday against India’s controversial Tipaimukh dam saying it would adversely affect livelihoods and life of over three lakh fishermen in Bangladesh’s north-eastern districts.

Speaking at a rally in front of the National Press Club fishermen’s leaders said that at least 10 rivers in Bangladesh including the Surma, Kushiyara and Meghna would dry up causing gradual desertification in the northeastern districts of lower riparian Bangladesh.

They said it would directly affect the life and livelihood of the country’s fishermen.

Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar today said it will be difficult to implement the proposed Food Security Act with existing distribution system and suggested massive reforms.

“I will be failing in my duty if I do not emphasise the fact that the Food Security Act will never succeed in achieving its goal in letter and spirit, if we try to push the same through the existing PDS apparatus,” Mr. Pawar said at a conference here.

State BJP chief spokesperson Vijesh Lunawat said that the State budget preparations are an ambitious attempt for the development of the agricultural resources which will create a new attraction amongst the farmers. The format of the State budget expresses the concerns regarding the provision of water at dry land, provide quality electricity facilities, increase the commercial industries for farmers and growth in plan expenditure for planned development.

Madhya Pradesh stands fourth in the country in the implementation of MNREGA. So far, Rs. 17,730 cr have been spent on basic development works and village uplift in the state under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. More than 9.78 lakh works have been undertaken and employment worth 132 crore mandays provided to rural labourers.

The government of Japan has decided to extend financial support of $96,660 (approximately Rs 8.3 million) to NGO RORWALI for the construction of Concrete Irrigation Channel in Village Thakhtabad, Peshawar, said a press release issued here on Monday.

The agreement for the project was signed between Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan Hiroshi OE and RORWALI Chairman, Shabbir Ahmad Khan here at the ambassador's residence.

The project is expected to benefit about 1,300 households (approximately 13,000 individuals).

The Union government has released a sum of Rs 868 crore to take up minor irrigation projects in the drought-affected taluks of the State.

The State government had submitted a proposal to take up about 493 different minor irrigation projects in 81 drought-affected taluks at a cost of Rs 685 crore. Of these, the Centre approved 404 projects to be taken up in five phases, Secretary to Minor Irrigation Department P N Srinivasachary said.