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A normal irrigation project, comprising of dam, head works, main irrigation canals and complete network of distributories with field channels takes a long time to complete. Cost of such projects is also high and as such poses difficult investment options in terms of domestic resource mobilisation, overseas aid and loans etc. Such projects generally submerge large areas of habitations and forest which in turn give birth to problems of rehabilitation and environmental conservation respectively. Even completion of major irrigation projects leads to typical problems in the command area, water logging and salination. Seepage of water from irrigation canals and distributories coupled with instinctive over irrigation practiced by the farmers results in gradual increase in the ground water level which leads to water logging and salination.

The Bihar Context

Creating irrigation potential in relatively shorter duration on smaller investment from available surface as well as ground water sources and optimum utilisation of this irrigation potential is the

	Provides irrigation in comparatively shorter gestation period and at smaller investment
	Suitable in exploiting abundantly available catchment areas with    their  network of natural drains, in the state
	M.I. Projects do not pose rehabilitation and environmental conservation  problems
	Projects require small area and therefore land acquisition becomes easier for the State Govt.
	High patches of land which, though ,physically lie in the command of a major irrigation project, does not get irrigated. Such patches of land are provided with suitable minor irrigation scheme. In such cases minor irrigation plays a supplemental role .
	"Conjunctive Irrigation", which is nothing but exploitation of ground water in the command of Irrigation Project, does not allow the the ground water to rise.This keeps at bay the problem of  water logging and salination.

Origin of MID

Minor Irrigation  as organisation was initially created under the Agriculture Department. At that time a post of Agriculture Director  (Engineering) in the scale of Superintendent Engineer was created.Under him eight Divisions were also created. In order to facilitate implementation of minor irrigation schemes throughout Bihar. The post of Chief Engineer(Minor Irrigation) was created in the year 1962.

Finally, acknowledging the importance and large scope of implementation of minor irrigation schemes in the State,  Bihar Govt. notified the creation of an independent  Minor Irrigation Department in December 1978. Since its inception the Department has been headed by the distinguished Civil Servants of the State Cadre. The following is the Honour Scroll of Secretaries Agriculture (Special Programme) and Minor Irrigation Department: