<h1>Central government approves Rs 558 crore medium irrigation projects benefiting 160 villages and thousands of farmers</h1> The central government has granted technical approval for two medium irrigation projects worth Rs 558 crore in a northern district. The projects include a Rs 219 crore initiative covering 45 villages and 2,186 hectares, and a Rs 339 crore project spanning 116 villages. Together, they will provide irrigation to over 160 villages, benefiting thousands of farmers in traditionally water-scarce areas. The projects aim to enhance agricultural productivity, generate employment opportunities for local youth, promote groundwater conservation, and support crop diversification to improve climate resilience.