Consider the following statements : 1. The Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme was launched during 1996-97 to provide loan assistance to poor farmers. 2. The Command Area Development Programme was launched in 1974-75 for the development of water-use efficiency. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Let's evaluate the given statements about irrigation programmes in India: 1. The Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) was launched during 1996-97 to provide loan assistance to poor farmers. This statement is incorrect. The AIBP, launched in 1996-97, was designed to provide central assistance to states for the early completion of ongoing major and medium irrigation projects, as well as surface minor irrigation schemes. Its primary objective was to expedite the creation of irrigation potential, not to provide direct loan assistance to individual farmers. 2. The Command Area Development Programme (CADP) was launched in 1974-75 for the development of water-use efficiency. This statement is correct. The CADP (later restructured as the Command Area Development and Water Management Programme or CADWM) was indeed launched in 1974-75 with the aim of improving the utilization of created irrigation potential and optimizing water use efficiency in irrigation projects. This included activities like on-farm development works, construction of field channels, and promotion of efficient water management practices. Therefore, only statement 2 is correct.