A total 2,700 shallow tube well irrigation systems have been installed in 12 Tarai districts under the Nepal-Bharat Maitri Irrigation Project. 

Minister for Irrigation Dipak Giri and Indian Ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae jointly inaugurated the project on Wednesday which will be implemented in Saptari, Sarlahi, Rautahat, Bara, Parsa, Chitwan, Nawalparasi, Rupendehi, Kapilvastu, Dang, Kailali and Kanchanpur districts. 

The government of India has pledged Rs256.72 million for procurement and installations of pumps for 2,700 shallow tube wells in those districts.

The implementation of the programme began in January 2015 and completed in December 2016 as per the scheduled completion period of two years, the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu said in a statement on Thursday. The installation of shallow tube wells in Tarai has benefitted the farmers who had been depended on rainwater for irrigation. 

“This facility now ensures irrigation in about 8,100 hectares in these districts. The project has boosted the production of wheat, rice and seasonal fruits and vegetables, helping in upliftment of the socio-economic status of a large number of farming households,” the statement reads. 

The Indian government has, in the past extended financial assistance for installation of deep and shallow tube wells in various parts of Terai to help realise the growth potential in the agriculture sector of Nepal.

India had earlier installed 1,000 shallow tube wells in Dhanusa and Mahottari that enabled irrigation of 3,000 hectares of arable land. Similarly, 22 deep tube wells were installed in four Terai districts in 2008, benefitting around 11,00 farming households by ensuring irrigation in 880 hectares of land. 

Likewise, 350 shallow tube wells have also been installed in district Siraha with the financial assistance of the government of India benefitting about 950 households by facilitating irrigation in 1050 hectares of land. The multi-sectoral and multi-dimensional India-Nepal Economic Cooperation Programme has been contributing in the development of Nepal in the form of various large and small development projects, said the embassy statement. 

These development projects, mainly in the sectors of education, health and infrastructure development, have been undertaken in response to local needs and in partnership with the government of Nepal to support socio-economic development of Nepal, the statement added.