Bhubaneswar Workshop Champions Pressurised Pipe Irrigation for Sustainable Farming
Bhubaneswar witnessed a landmark workshop titled “Group Awareness and Preparation for Adopting Pressurised Pipe-Based Irrigation Process” organised by the Water Resources Department of Odisha.
The one-day forum brought together international experts, national institutions, grassroots Pani Panchayats, progressive farmers, and government engineers to discuss the future of water-efficient agriculture.
Principal Secretary Shubha Sharma emphasised the importance of community participation and equitable water distribution to ensure sustainable crop growth.
Dr Alok Sikka of IWMI shared global best practices, while Prof. Deepak Khare from IIT Roorkee highlighted the technical and long-term benefits of pressurised irrigation, including higher yields and improved rural incomes.
UNDP’s Abha Mishra underscored the role of climate-resilient agriculture, and engineers from the department presented grassroots implementation strategies.
Farmers and Pani Panchayat representatives shared field-level experiences, adding practical insights to the discussions.
The workshop served as a collaborative platform to build awareness and readiness for wider adoption of pressurised pipe irrigation across Odisha.
With institutional support from ICAR, SIWAR, NIT Rourkela, and OLIC, the initiative aims to strengthen water security, expand irrigation coverage, and boost prosperity in rural communities.
