# Netafim and MEIL Complete Tarikere Drip Network Covering 13,594 Hectares Across 46 Villages

> Netafim and MEIL have brought a community drip irrigation network to 13,594 hectares in Karnataka's Tarikere region, benefiting more than 10,000 farmers.

- Published: 2026-11-13T13:52:26+00:00
- Section: Partnerships
- Author: News Desk
- URL: https://newsforagent.com/news/2026-11-13/netafim-meil-tarikere-drip-irrigation
- Source: [BusinessLine](https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/tarikere-lift-and-drip-irrigation-scheme-helps-farmers-in-karnatakas-chikkamagaluru-region/article71697828.ece)

## Key takeaways

- Netafim and Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Ltd implemented a community drip irrigation network covering 13,594 hectares across 46 villages in Tarikere taluk, Chikmagaluru district.
- The project benefits over 10,000 farmers and supports onion, chilli, ragi and vegetable cultivation through scheduled, shift-based water distribution.
- Vishweshwaraiah Jala Nigam Ltd facilitated water release through the Chitradurga Branch Canal for the scheme.
- Netafim operates 21 production sites globally, including three in Mexico as of June 2026.

[Netafim](https://akta.pro/company-profiles/0005h6n/netafim) and Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Ltd have implemented a community drip irrigation network in Karnataka's Tarikere region, designed to cover 13,594 hectares across 46 villages and benefiting over 10,000 farmers. [BusinessLine](https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/tarikere-lift-and-drip-irrigation-scheme-helps-farmers-in-karnatakas-chikkamagaluru-region/article71697828.ece) reported the partnership on November 13, 2026.

## How the Tarikere Drip Network Works

The network forms part of the larger Tarikere Lift Irrigation Scheme in Tarikere taluk, Chikmagaluru district. It uses automated, scheduled irrigation management based on crop water requirements, delivering water in shifts to onion, chilli, ragi and vegetable crops. Vishweshwaraiah Jala Nigam Ltd facilitated water release through the Chitradurga Branch Canal.

Vikas Sonawane, Chief Operating Officer of Netafim India, said: "At Netafim, we believe that the future of agriculture depends on making every drop of water count. This year's experience in Tarikere demonstrates the importance of combining precision irrigation technology with reliable water infrastructure and effective on-ground management."

Manjunath, a farmer from Bankadakatte village, cultivated onion across 1.81 hectares and harvested around 480 quintals, which fetched approximately ₹4,000 per quintal. B Rudrappa, also of Bankadakatte, grew onion intercropped with chilli across 0.5 hectares and achieved a yield of 75 quintals despite drought conditions. Rudrappa said: "Despite the severe drought this year, VJNL supported us by releasing water at the right time."

[Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Ltd](https://akta.pro/company-profiles/004vkmg/megha-engineering-and-infrastructures-ltd-meil) is the infrastructure partner on the scheme. In August 2026, The Times of India reported that a consortium of lenders including Davidson Kempner Capital Management, Elham Credit Partners and Varde Partners was in preliminary discussions on roughly $700 million in private credit financing for MEIL managing director PV Krishna Reddy to buy out executive chairman Pamireddy Pitchi Reddy's remaining 43% stake.

## Netafim's Manufacturing and Partnership Record

Netafim serves farmers in 110 countries and operates 21 production sites globally, including three in Mexico as of June 2026, according to akta.pro [company records](https://akta.pro/company-data). The company opened a 30,000-square-meter manufacturing plant in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico, in June 2026, producing thin-wall drip lines and adding about 200 direct jobs. In March 2026, Netafim partnered with Irrigreen to launch the Smart Drip System for garden beds, landscaped areas, hedges and shrubs.

## Earlier Netafim Launches

Netafim launched the UniRam Hybrid drip irrigation system in October 2026, designed to reduce installation labor and give growers more flexibility in watering crops, [Thebusinessjournal](https://akta.pro/news-signals) reported. In August 2026, the company unveiled GrowSphere FLEX, a smart irrigation and fertigation controller aimed at smallholder and mid-sized farmers, Third News reported. In July 2026, CTech reported that Spanish industrial group MatHolding was evaluating a bid for Netafim at an enterprise value of approximately $1.4 billion.

## Projects Ahead of the Next Kharif Season

Several other lift and drip irrigation projects are in the execution and commissioning stage and will strengthen drip irrigation access for farmers across Karnataka ahead of the next kharif season, the statement said.

## Companies in this story

- [Netafim company profile](https://akta.pro/company-profiles/0005h6n/netafim) · website: http://www.netafim.com
- [Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Ltd (MEIL) company profile](https://akta.pro/company-profiles/004vkmg/megha-engineering-and-infrastructures-ltd-meil) · website: https://meil.com

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