Micro-irrigation projects to help deal with drought in Kargil
To deal with the problem of drought in Kargil, the administration has started micro-irrigation projects in many areas of the district.
Administrative Secretary, Agriculture, Bhupesh Chaudhary visited Sodh Block in Kargil to review the progress of the irrigation project in the Sharbat Gond, Yourbaltak and Apati area. The visit aimed to assess the project’s success in addressing drought-affected agricultural fields, enhancing productivity and providing sustainable solutions for farming in the region.
Accompanying him during the visit were Kargil’s Chief Agriculture Officer Ashiq Hussain Basharat, Sub-Divisional Agriculture Officer Mohd Hussain, Assistant Executive Engineer PHE Ghulam Hassan Najar among others.
Chaudhary was briefed on the project, which has an estimated cost of Rs 12.49 crore and is designed to bring 23 hectares of barren land in the Sodh area under micro-irrigation (drip and sprinkler systems).
The Assistant Executive Engineer, PHE, reported that 8 hectares of land have already been brought under micro-irrigation. It was also highlighted that the project’s scope was revised based on the demands of local leaders and villagers.
At the site, the Secretary emphasised the need to address the observations raised by the Planning Department to secure timely approval for the project. He directed the Chief Agriculture Officer to respond to the concerns promptly.
During the visit, Chaudhary interacted with public representatives, farmers and stakeholders, addressing their grievances and assuring improvements. He emphasised the need to expand drip irrigation systems to main agricultural fields and implement measures to protect project sites from stray animals. The Secretary further stressed the importance of constructing water harvesting structures, snow check dams, and watershed management schemes in the region to enhance water availability.
As part of the visit, he inspected the Pasgo artificial glacier, commending the community’s efforts in its construction. He directed the Chief Agriculture Officer, Deputy Director CAD, and other line departments to organise training and awareness programmes to promote the construction of artificial glaciers, check dams, and water storage structures under central schemes such as Krishonnati Yojana and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY).
Chaudhary also inspected high-tech greenhouses, agricultural workshops, and input stocking for the 2025–26 cropping season. He visited the newly constructed Farmers’ Hostel-cum-Training Centre at Kurbathang and instructed the Junior Engineer of PWD to complete the remaining work without delay so that the facility could be utilised as an agricultural information hub.
Concluding the visit, Bhupesh Chaudhary held a meeting with departmental officers, emphasising on timely implementation of state and Centrally sponsored schemes to boost agriculture and improve the socio-economic conditions of Kargil.
