New Delhi, Oct 21: A 'campaign policy' aimed at helping farmers make efficient use of irrigation facilities would be introduced shortly, A K Goswami, secretary, Union Water Resources Ministry, said here today. Speaking at 'Water Summit 2003', organised by FICCI, he said efficient management of irrigation water would help in bringing more areas under irrigation.

"Improving water use efficiency is the first step towards sustainable water development and management."

Goswami said irrigation accounted for 85 per cent of all groundwater extraction.

Y K Alagh, vice chairman of Sardar Patel Institute of Economic and Social Research, said the efficiencies of the existing irrigation facilities should be raised to 60 per cent level from the current level of 40 per cent in order to ensure higher productivity for the Indian economy.

Bureau Report