World's No.1 Micro-irrigation Company Netafim Bags one of the World's Largest Modern Drip Irrigation Projects in Karnataka

VADODARA, India, January 22, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

Netafim is the largest micro irrigation company in the world. They are the pioneer in the industry by inventing the modern micro-irrigation technology way back in 1965. Their fully-owned Indian subsidiary, Netafim Irrigation India Pvt. Ltd., have been working in India since 1997.

Netafim India in collaboration with one of the leading players in infrastructure development in South India, M/s Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Ltd (MEIL), has bagged one of the biggest orders for a fully-automated modern drip irrigation project in Karnataka. The order size of Rs. 381 cr has been awarded recently by Krishna Bhagya Jala Nigam Ltd (KBJNL), a division of water resources Department of Karnataka. Netafim has successfully completed and mastered executing large scale micro-irrigation projects, globally, in diverse agro-climatic conditions and this project is amongst the largest.

This project named Ramthal (Marol) integrated micro-irrigation project, is situated in Bagalkot district of North Karnataka state. The project aims at providing drip irrigation system for a command area of 29250 acres of West Side package of II stage Ramthal (Marol) lift irrigation system, covering 26 villages and benefitting around 6000 farmers.

The highlight of the project is the creation of a network of pipelines (GRP/PVC) instead of constructing main canal, distributaries, minors, sub-minors and field channels and to provide drip irrigation to the command area through a fully automated system which would ensure the equitable distribution of water. The water is supplied simultaneously to the targeted farmers at the same time according to the pre-designed irrigation schedule which means that even tail-end farmers would get equal amount of water like that of farmers who are near the water source. The command area is bifurcated into manageable zones and sub-zones and water distribution is automated to supply water to these zones as per the pre-designed irrigation schedule.

On successful completion of the work, this project will assume the status of the largest and first of its kind in terms of the extent of the command area under modern drip irrigation in an integrated, automated system. 

Randhir Chauhan, MD - Netafim India said, "Thanks to Karnataka Govt. and KBJNL officials for considering and approving such a large scale project benefitting thousands of farmers and allowing equitable water distribution. It will help conceptualising such projects in other parts of the country too, which will significantly improve water use efficiency in canal command areas in future for the betterment of the farmers."

About Netafim:

Netafim is the global leader in drip and micro-irrigation solutions for sustainable productivity. With 27 subsidiaries, 13 manufacturing plants and over 3,000 employees worldwide, Netafim delivers innovative and state-of-the-art solutions in over 110 countries across the globe. Founded in 1965, Netafim pioneered the drip irrigation revolution, creating a paradigm shift towards low-flow agricultural irrigation. Today, Netafim offers a wide range of irrigation and complementary solutions for agriculture, landscaping and mining. From drippers and dripperlines, through sprinklers and micro-emitters, to crop management technology (CMT) systems and greenhouse solutions, Netafim's market-leading products and services enable cost-effective irrigation for optimal and sustainable results. For more information, visit www.netafim.com.

Primary Media Contact: Pritesh Trivedi, [email protected], 91-97272-60309

Secondary Media Contact: Gaurang Darji, [email protected], 91-99250-38960