The second training programme on Development of district irrigation plan under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojna (PMKSY) was organized for All India Service Officers (IAS and IFS) by ICAR-Indian Institute of Water Management from 7th to 11th September 2015. Altogether 14 officers from eastern states of Odisha, West Bengal, Jharkhand and Bihar participated in the five days training programme. The training programme was inaugurated by Shri U.N. Behera, State Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary, Govt. of Odisha. The other dignitaries present were Shri Sanjeev Chopra, Joint Secretary (MoA&FW, GoI), Shri Rajesh Verma, Principal Secretary Agriculture (GoO). Directors of Horticulture and Watershed Mission, GoO were also present. Shri Sanjeev Chopra outlined the importance of the PMKSY and objective of the training programme. Shri U.N. Behera in his inaugural address highlighted the ultimate importance of the district irrigation plan and role of the officers on convergence of the district irrigation plan with ongoing schemes. Shri Behera also released the training manual on development of district irrigation plan. Earlier, Dr. S.K. Ambast, Director, ICAR-IIWM and course Director welcomed the participants and other dignitaries and expressed gratitude to Ministry of Agriculture, GoI for choosing ICAR-IIWM, Bhubaneswar for conducting training programme. Dr. Prabhakar Nanda, Pr. Scientist and course Coordinator proposed the vote of thanks.
The five day training focused on overview of PMKSY, convergence of different programme under PMKSY, national water resources scenario, surface and groundwater resource, crop planning, water productivity, system development of district irrigation plan, importance of remote sensing and GIS in irrigation planning. Altogether 20 class room lectures were delivered by renowned resource persons. In addition, field visits were also organized to Khuntapingoo watershed at Keonjhar, Puri canal system, Centre of Excellence-Horticulture, rubber dam of ICAR-IIWM to make the trainees aware about watershed management and irrigation system. The participants also developed district irrigation plan for two different districts and presented as hands on training component.
The valedictory function was held on 11th Sep, 2015. Shri G.C. Pati, Chief Secretary, Govt. of Odisha was the Chief Guest of the valedictory function of the training course. The Chief Secretary outlined the importance of the district irrigation plan and its usefulness of agricultural development. He emphasized on development of agricultural knowledge hubs in the district. He also emphasized on extension of irrigation technologies to the farmer's through lab to land programme. The other dignitaries present were Ms. Amita Prasad, Joint Secretary (MoWR, GoI), Directors of Agriculture, Horticulture and Watershed Mission (GoO) also participated. Ms. Amita Prasad spoke on AIBP and its convergence under PMKSY and the possible outcomes of the training programme. There was a feedback session from the trainees where the trainees appreciated the course curriculum and overall arrangement of logistics and field visits. Earlier, Dr. S.K. Ambast, Director, ICAR-IIWM and course Director welcomed the Chief Guests and summarized the activities undertaken during the training programme. Dr. P. Panigrahi, ICAR-IIWM proposed the vote of thanks.