Introduction:

The total geographical area of Lakhimpur District of the State of Assam is 2277 Sq Km that is 227700Ha. Out of which the net cultivable area is 94725 Ha. And Gross cultivable area is 171465 Ha. As per 2011 census the district has a population of 1042137 persons with population density of 458 SqKm. The climate of the district is subtropical and humid. The average temperature ranges is from 24⁰c to 32⁰c. The winter season statrs by November and continues till February/March. The air is highly humid through out the year and during rainy season the relative humidity is about 61 percent. The area receives heavy rainfall every year and out of 1085mm of annual normal rainfall 60 to 65% is receiving during June to September from South-West monsoon. The district also receives rainfall during pre-monsoon period from March/April to May in the form of thundershowers and hail storms.

There are 9 Development Blocks in the District and two Divisions under Irrigation Department of Assam are responsible for Creation and Utilization of Irrigation potential in 9 Development Block under 5 LAC of the District. Lakhimpur, Boginadi, Karunabari, Bihpuria and Narayanpur Blocks are fall under the jurisdiction of Lakhimpur Ronganadi Bihpuria Division (Irrigation), North Lakhimpur and Dhakuakhana, Ghilamora, Telahi and Nowboicha are falls under the jurisdiction of Dhakuakhana Naoboicha Division (Irrigation), Dhakuakhana. 80% of the total economy of the district depends on agriculture. As the district often suffers from draught like situation, the importance of Irrigation is the highest priority in the district.

Our History:

The District forms a part of vast alluvial plain of Assam with a characteristics fertile land, laid down by the river “The Brahmaputra” and its tributaries. The area covering the district is located between 26⁰48^/N and 27⁰42^/N latitude and 93⁰42^/E and 94⁰20^/E longitude. There are two civil Sub-Division namely North Lakhimpur and Dhakuakhana and 9 Community development blocks in the district.

The project formulation and implementation team in all the development Blocks of Lakhimpur district barring Boginadi, Lakhimpur, Karunabari, Bihpuria and Narayanpur comprises the Executive Engineer, Lakhimpur Ronganadi Bihpuria Division (Irrigation), North Lakhimpur and his team of Engineers, other four Blocks Dhakuakhana, Ghilamora, Telahi and Nowboicha are executed by Executive Engineer, Dhakuakhana Naoboicha Division (Irrigation), Dhakuakhana. The Superintending Engineer, Lakhimpur Circle (Irrigation), North Lakhimpur is the district administrative head of the department to monitoring the execution and implementation of the projects are given by the Superintending Engineer. The state level the project is monitored directly by the Chief Engineer, (Irrigation) through the monitoring and quality Control Cell of the department. In all technical issues relating to formulation, implementation and monitoring of the project the Chief Engineer is the final authority in the State who is controlled by Secretary to the Govt of Assam Irrigation Department. Besides these, the execution of the project is also monitored in the district level by the District Commissioner Lakhimpur, North Lakhimpur.

Our Mandate:

The irrigation Department of Lakhimpur mandate focuses on enhancing agriculture production by providing assured Irrigation water, protecting against famine and utilizing Irrigation potential to improve socioeconomic conditions of farmers. These include implementing various irrigation schemes, increasing irrigation intensity and promoting multiple cropping.

• Increase Agriculture production: Provide timely and adequate Irrigation to cultivate high- yielding crops, contributing to overall economic growth.

• Ensure Water Security: provide assured irrigation water during all seasons and protect against famine through irrigation schemes.

• Improve Socioeconomic Condition: Utilize irrigation potential to raise the socioeconomic status of farmers by promoting multiple cropping.

• Create Irrigation Potential: Implement major, medium and minor irrigation schemes to expand the irrigated area.

• Increase Irrigation Intensity: Enhance Water utilization and encourage multiple cropping practice.

• Improve Rural Communication: Utilize inspection paths along canals to improve connectivity.

• Manage Water Resources: Develop and manage water resources effectively, including surface and ground water.

• Implementing Irrigation Scheme: the Department plans, design and implements various irrigation scheme including major medium and minor project. Depending upon the availability of source of water only minor irrigation have been implemented in the district till date.

• Participatory Irrigation Management: Involve farmers in irrigation planning, implementation and maintenance.

• Water User Association: Encourage the formation and functioning of WUA’s to ensure equitable water distribution.

• Flood Mitigation: Provide low intensity flood irrigation measures.

Key Program and Schemes:

Key irrigation program and schemes in Lakhimpur including Minor Project like Hatilung FIS, Pichala FIS, Poita FIS. Additionally programs like PMKSY (Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana), Solar and electrically operated Hybrid Tube Well and Medium Deep Tube Well are also significant.

Minor Irrigation Projects:

• Hatilung FIS: Located in Hatilung, it irrigates areas arears Tamulbari, Junubasti, Rawnapara, Rangchali village of Lakhimpur District. It irrigates almost 200 Hect. area at a time.

• Pichala FIS: Located in the river Pichala of Narayanpur Block, it irrigates areas of Garubandha, Shankarpur, Shantipur, Madhabpur & Joypur villages of Lakhimpur District. The Net irrigation potential of this scheme is 680 Hect.

• Poita FIS: Located in Poita river of Karunabari block, it irrigates areas of Kutubpur, Fatehpur, Dharampur etc. villages of District Lakhimpur. The net irrigation potential is 200 Hect.

• Deep tube well and Medium deep tube wells: Lakhimpur has a significant number of Deep tube well and medium deep tube wells for ground water irrigation with 14 nos Deep tube well and 11 Nos. of Medium Deep tube well installed. Almost 420 Ha. Of areas covered by deep tube well and 110 Ha. Of area its covered by medium deep tube well.

• PMKSY (Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana): Aims to enhance water access on farms and expand irrigated areas. 360 nos. of shallow tube well installed in the district under this program and 1440 Hect. area have been benefited through this program.

• Solar and Electrically Operated Hybrid Tube Well: There are 14 nos of Hybrid tube well points have been installed in the District under SoPD-G. The net irrigation Potential is 56 Hect.

• NABARD: Provides financial support for irrigation project like MDTW irrigation schemes which was funded by NABARD’s LTIF.

• At present Dhakuakhana Naoboicha Division has 1 (One) STW scheme (150 Points) under PMKSY-HKKP-GW, 1 (One) Hybrid STW scheme (2 Points) under SOPD-G and 4 (Four) Lift Irrigation schemes, 1 (One) Medium Deep Tube Well scheme under its jurisdiction. Also the construction works for 1 (One) MDTW scheme and 1 (One) STW scheme (5 Points) under SOPD-G are in progress.

Achievement:

 The Department has completed the Following schemes in last 4 years :

LIST OF FUNCTIONAL SCHEMES SANCTIONED FOR THE YEAR 2022-23

LIST OF FUNCTIONAL SCHEMES SANCTIONED FOR THE YEAR 2023- 2024

Future Plan:

The future of the department plans to focus on efficient water management, sustainable practice and smart technologies to address the growing challenges of water scarcity and climate change.

• Micro Irrigation: Techniques like drip and micro sprinkler irrigation deliver water directly to the root zone, reducing water loss through evaporation and runoff.

• Smart Irrigation Controller: These systems use sensors and data analysis to optimize irrigation schedules based on real time weather conditions and crop need.

To develop the irrigation sector of the district, department has prepared a District Irrigation Plan (DIP) for upcoming 5 years to implement deferent schemes and projects. This includes almost 659 nos. of new schemes/projects with targeted Annual Potential Area (AIA) of 29524 hect.

In this current financial year the division proposed 21 nos. of new MDTW points under RIDF-XXXI (NABARD), 1 No. Electrically Operated Lift Irrigation Schemes (ELIS) and 7 nos. new MDTW points under SoPD, 30 nos. of new MDTW points under NEC and 9 nos. of Mobile Lift Irrigation Schemes (LIS) in the district till date.