Rapid Response on "Institutional Reform of Minor Irrigation Department" in conjunction with CEEW

This report is the outcome of a direct request by the Principal Secretary, Dr Deepak Prasad, of the Minor Water Resources Department (MWRD), Government of Bihar to the IGC and the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) to conduct a research study on how to reform the MWRD.

Agriculture is the mainstay of Bihar's economy and the economic growth of the state is dependent on the growth of the agricultural sector. This growth is, in turn, fuelled by irrigation facilities. With small and marginal farmers having 96% of landholdings, the major share of irrigation (70%) is provided by the minor sources, namely tube wells.

The executive summary of the rapid response report is available to download and includes specific recommendations to improve the performance of the MWRD.