Banka: Expanded irrigation and water conservation measures announced in Bihar’s 2026–27 budget have raised hopes among farmers in Amarpur block, where agriculture remains heavily dependent on erratic monsoon rains. Allocations for the Minor Water Resources and Water Resources departments are set to fund canal restoration, check dams, tube wells and flood control systems across the region.
Officials say the strategy prioritises strengthening irrigation infrastructure and addressing persistent challenges such as waterlogging and seasonal flooding. For farming communities in Banka district, where rainfall variability often disrupts crop cycles, the new provisions are being viewed as critical to stabilising production and protecting livelihoods.
Local farmers expect the restoration of irrigation channels connected to the Chandan river, along with the repair of embankments and traditional dams, to improve water availability during the sowing season. Prakash Singh, a progressive farmer from Dharmarai village, said “ongoing construction and renovation of check dams would ensure more reliable irrigation and reduce uncertainty during dry spells”.
Under the Minor Water Resources Department, proposals include reviving tube wells, ponds and traditional ahar–pyne systems, as well as building new water-harvesting structures. Amod Singh, a small farmer, said these steps would provide a sustainable irrigation alternative, particularly benefiting marginal landholders who struggle with high input costs.
Others believe the improved network will encourage the cultivation of rabi and summer crops, lowering expenses and raising incomes. Farmers say better water management could also allow diversification into vegetables and pulses alongside paddy and wheat. Over the past five years, more than two dozen local water bodies and irrigation sources have already been restored, and residents hope the new projects will accelerate that progress.
Flood control and drainage improvements form another key part of the budget. Plans to strengthen embankments and enhance water discharge systems aim to prevent crop losses in low-lying areas during heavy rains. If implemented on schedule, farmers say the measures could bring long-term stability to agriculture and reduce dependence on increasingly unpredictable weather patterns.
Overall, the irrigation-focused push is expected to bolster rural resilience, improve farm productivity and provide a steady economic boost to communities across Amarpur and neighbouring blocks.
