The State government has decided to conduct an in-depth study to assess the impact of de-siltation of tanks taken up under the prestigious Mission Kakatiya project.
Accordingly, the study would cover aspects like impact of de-siltation on water availability for irrigation, changes in cropping pattern and recharge of groundwater.
It would incorporate economic valuation in terms of nutrients applied, increased crop yield, chemical fertilisers saved and crop intensification.
The government has entered into a memorandum of agreement (MoA) with International Crop Research Institute for Semi Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), which would conduct the study over a period of two years. State Irrigation and Command Area Development Commissioner G. Malsur and ICRISAT Deputy Director General Krishna K. Sharma signed the MoA in the presence of Irrigation Minister T. Harish Rao here on Friday.
Economic benefits
The objectives of the MoA include assessment of economic benefits of application of silt in terms of plant nutrients and conduct of demonstration trials by adopting different levels of silt to develop scientific integrated nutrient management strategy for major crops.
It would involve random selection of 5% of de-silted tanks in Phase-I and II spread over 30 districts and collection of soil samples for analysis in addition to hydrology with respect to water recharged, including the zone of influence of groundwater recharge.
The study intends to assess the suitability of tank silt for use in agriculture based on heavy metal and salt content and long-term benefits for improved soil health in terms of physical, chemical and biological properties.