With Kharif sowing activities picking up momentum across Gujarat, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Tuesday approved the early release of irrigation water through the Narmada canal network from June 11 to support farmers during the crucial early phase of the cropping season.
The decision comes at a time when more than 1.73 lakh hectares have already been brought under Kharif cultivation across the state, while the southwest monsoon is expected to reach Gujarat only after June 15.
Cotton and groundnut lead early sowing
According to official data, cotton accounts for the largest share of the area already sown, covering nearly 93,000 hectares. Groundnut has been planted on approximately 55,000 hectares, with the two crops together accounting for the bulk of the Kharif sowing undertaken so far.
A significant portion of this activity has been concentrated in the Saurashtra region, where nearly 1.1 lakh hectares have been sown across 11 districts. This underscores the region’s dependence on timely irrigation support during the initial stages of the cropping season.
Government responds to farmers’ demand
The decision to advance the water release followed representations from Members of Parliament and Members of the Legislative Assembly from the Narmada command area, who sought early irrigation support for ongoing agricultural operations.
Chief Minister Patel convened a high-level meeting of senior officials associated with the Narmada project to review available water stocks and assess the irrigation requirements of standing and newly sown crops.
“The decision has been taken keeping in view the water requirements for farmers’ crops,” the state government said in a statement, adding that the Chief Minister had responded positively to requests made by elected representatives from the Narmada command area.
Critical support until monsoon arrives
The availability of canal water is expected to help farmers continue sowing operations and provide critical moisture support for germination and crop establishment until monsoon rainfall becomes widespread across the state.
The Narmada canal network remains one of Gujarat’s most important irrigation lifelines, supplying water to agricultural regions across Saurashtra, Kutch, North Gujarat and other parts of the state. The canal system plays a crucial role in supporting Kharif cultivation, particularly during the early part of the season when rainfall coverage is still evolving.
Officials present at review meeting
The high-level meeting was attended by Mukesh Puri, Chairman of Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited (SSNNL); Water Supply Department Principal Secretary Shahmeena Husain; Additional Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Vikrant Pandey; along with senior officials of the Narmada project and canal administration.
The government has directed officials to ensure smooth and planned distribution of water across the canal system, with necessary guidelines issued to canal authorities and irrigation departments to keep all arrangements ready before the release begins.
PM-Kisan support for Gujarat farmers
In a related development, the state government highlighted that under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana (PM-Kisan), more than ₹23,083 crore has been disbursed to over 69.25 lakh farmer families in Gujarat across 22 instalments, with funds transferred directly into their bank accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism.
At the national level, more than 11 crore farmers have received financial assistance exceeding ₹4.27 lakh crore under the scheme, which has emerged as a financial safety net for the agricultural sector.
Outlook
With water set to flow through the Narmada canals from June 11, farmers across the command area can continue their sowing preparations without interruption. The early release reflects the government’s commitment to supporting the farming community as the state awaits the arrival of the monsoon, which is expected after June 15.
