Maharashtra CM Prithviraj Chavan appeals sugar mills to adopt drip irrigation

PUNE: Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan has appealed to the sugar mills in the state to bring all the sugar cane cultivation in the state under drip irrigation in next three years.

"Adoption of drip irrigation will not only help conserve water but will also help to increase the yield of sugarcane by about 20 tonne/hectare," said Prithviraj Chavan, chief minister, Maharashtra.

Even thought the state is the top sugar producer in the country, frequent droughts in the state affect area under the sweetener adversely. The sugar industry has been demanding increase in subsidy for the drip irrigation sets for sugar cane crop.

In a meeting of group of ministers, the chief minister promised to request to the central government for increasing the subsidy for drip irrigation systems. He also promised to see if concession in purchase tax can be given to those mills, who try to promote drip irrigation in their jurisdiction.