The Department has been implementing infrastructure development projects availing assistance under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund of NABARD with a view to create required infrastructure backup for land development under various projects. Watershed based Projects and Projects for Drainage Protection and Flood Control are taken up under this sector. The main objective of the scheme is to bring improved and sustainable agricultural productivity in identified watershed area by adopting scientific soil and water conservation activities .The contribution of the projects for enhancement of ground water recharge, mitigation of floods and moderation of droughts in the watersheds are quite substantial.
Currently, the Department is implementing two types of Projects viz. Soil and Water Conservation Projects on Watershed basis and Drainage and Flood Prone Area Protection Schemes. Stone pitched Contour bunds, Graded bunds, Moisture Conservation Pits, Contour/ Staggered/ Bit Trenches for rain water harvesting, Side pitching, Water Harvesting Structures, Farm ponds, Dug out Ponds Retaining Wall, Check Dams Agrostology measures, Live Fencing, Agro forestry etc are the major Soil and Water Conservation interventions taken up under the Watershed Projects. Proper blends of these measures are adopted for achieving aforesaid objectives pertaining to individual Projects.
The Drainage and Flood Prone Area Protection Schemes are generally implemented in the waterlogged paddy fields of Alappuzha, Kottayam and Thrissur districts. These projects aim at the betterment of the local production environment of the concerned areas by providing the required basic infrastructure. Moderation of Floods and related damage, control of saline intrusion are the major areas the Projects attend to for facilitating increased productivity. Paddy is the main target crop. Major items of works taken up under these Projects include Retaining Walls, Sluice, Tractor Bridge with Ramp, Steps, Foot Slabs, Bank Stabilisation with vegetative measures etc.
Land development projects/watershed/Drainage & Flood Protection projects are prepared based on priority required for conservation and location specific request received from farmers, farmers association and representatives of local bodies. These project are approved by Government and NABARD and implementation carried out in a phased manner within a period of 3-4 years.
Subsidy Pattern
Irrespective of holding size the farmers are given 90% subsidy for arable land conservation works and 95% subsidy is provided for drainage line treatment works& works carried out in common land. For SC/ST beneficiaries, the subsidy given is up to 95% of the total investment