Patna: Agriculture minister Prem Kumar on Tuesday directed field officials to generate awareness about the benefits of micro irrigation among farmers.

The directions to spread word on the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana were issued at a review meeting to assess the implementation.

It entails providing end-to-end solutions in the irrigation supply chain, including water sources, distribution network, and farm level applications. The scheme comprises four components - accelerated irrigation benefit programme, Har khet ko paani, watershed development and per drop more crop.

The field officials from the districts and blocks were briefed about the scheme's details and also told about its guidelines.

Prem said: "Use of drip and sprinkler irrigation methods help save 60 per cent of the water, reduce fertiliser consumption by 30 to 23 per cent, and also increase productivity of crops by about 25 per cent."

Agriculture coordinators and block horticulture officers will be responsible to implement the scheme. Senior officials were asked to regularly monitor the progress, so that more farmers can avail the benefits.

The minister also told the participants about special crop schemes launched in 23 districts. One or two special crops have been identified for selected districts and efforts are being made to link the producers with food processing units. Some of the districts that have been selected are Bhagalpur (mango), Gaya (papaya and guava) and Muzaffarpur (litchi).