Nepalgunj, Apr. 7:Farmers of Banke district are facing difficulties in adopting intensive cropping or extension of cash crops and other suitable crops due to the shortage of irrigation.

According to the Agricultural Development Office, Banke, out of a total 57,252 hectares of arable land in the district, irrigation is available only for some 2,414 hectares or 7.7 percent the portion of land that has irrigation throughout the year is minimal.

Demands for irrigaiton in the district have been made every year. The Thapuwa Tirtihiriya Irrigation Project is to commence in view of the growing irrigation demand. Upon completion, the project will irrigate about 100 hectares.

Similarlfy, an initial survey has been conducted at Chisapani, Raniyapur, Kushum and Shamshergunj and survey work completed at Titihiriya and Ghigauranala, it is learnt.

The Ghijari bagesal Project at Mahadevpuri with an irrigation capacity of 80 hectares, the Rajkulo Irrigation Project at Banipur, Banauna Irrigation Project with a capacity of 640 hectares and Betahani project with a capacity of 150 hectares are under implementation in the district.

An underground water resources development project and the Sitapur Underground Irrigation Project with the capacity of irrigating 935 and 480 hectares respectively are the two old irrigation projects of the district.