Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana

Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) aims to develop a complete irrigation supply chain, water resources, distribution network and farm-level application solutions to achieve the target of providing water for every farm. The scheme was conceptualized on 1^st July, 2015 after the cabinet approval.

• The objectives of this scheme include - achieve convergence of investments in irrigation at the field level; expand cultivable area under assured irrigation (Har Khet ko Pani); improve on-farm water use efficiency to reduce wastage of water; enhance the adoption of precision-irrigation and other water saving technologies (Per Drop More Crop); enhance recharge of aquifers; introduce sustainable water conservation practices by exploring the feasibility of reusing treated municipal based water for peri-urban agriculture; and attract greater private investment in precision irrigation system.

1. Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP)

Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP) is introduced under Ministry of Water Resources to focus on faster completion of ongoing Irrigation (both Major and Medium) including National Projects.

2. PMKSY – Har Khet Ko Pani

Minor Irrigation: PMKSY – Har Khet Ko Pani focused on creating new source of water through Minor Irrigation both surface and ground water.

• Water Sources: Repair, restoration and renovation of defunct water sources, strengthening of traditional water sources and construction rain water harvesting structures.
• Development of command: Development of command area, improve water management and strengthening distribution system to take advantage of the available source in fullest capacity. 10% of the command area needs to be covered under micro/precision irrigation.
• Ground water development: Creating sink to store runoff or flood water during peak rainy season through Ground water development programme.
• Diversion of water from source: Diversion of water from plenty water source area to nearby water scarce areas, lift irrigation from water bodies/rivers at lower elevation to supplement requirements beyond IWMP and MGNREGS irrespective of irrigation command.

3. PMKSY – Per Drop More Crop

• Programme management: The main function of PMKSY – Per Drop More Crop is Programme management, preparation of State/District Irrigation Plan, approval of annual action plan, Monitoring etc.
• Jal Sinchan: Jal Sinchan is a programme promoting efficient water conveyance and to use precision water application devices like drips, sprinklers, pivots, rain-guns in the farm. Topping up of input cost particularly under civil construction beyond permissible limit (40%), under MGNREGS for activities like lining inlet, outlet, silt traps distribution system etc.
• Micro irrigation: Per Drop More Crop used for construction of micro irrigation structures to supplement source creation activities including tube wells and dug wells in the areas where ground water is available which are not supported under AIBP, PMKSY (Har Khet ko Pani), PMKSY (Watershed) and MGNREGS as per block/district irrigation plan.
• Secondary storage structures: Secondary storage structures at tail end of canal system to store water when available in abundance (rainy season) or from perennial sources like streams for use during dry periods through effective on-farm water management.
• Water lifting devices: Water lifting devices are covered under Per Drop More Crop.
  • Diesel/electric/solar pump sets
  • Water carriage pipes
  • Underground piping system
• Jal Sanrakshan: Jal Sanrakshan is an extension activity for promotion of scientific moisture conservation and agronomic measures. Agronomic measure cropping alignment is used to maximise use of available water including rainfall and minimise irrigation requirement.
• Awareness Activities: Awareness activities need to be conducted by Per Drop More Crop. Some of the activity includes like capacity building; training and awareness campaign including low cost publications; use of Pico projectors; low cost films for encouraging potential use water source through technological and agronomic measures and management practices such as community irrigation etc. The extension workers can be empowered to disseminate relevant technologies under PMKSY only after requisite training is provided to them especially in some mentioned areas.
• Information Communication Technology (ICT): ICT interventions through NeGP-A to be made use in the field of water use efficiency, precision irrigation technologies, on farm water management, crop alignment etc. and also to do intensive monitoring of the Scheme.

4. PMKSY – Watershed Development

PMKSY – Watershed Development programmes introduced for effective management of runoff water and improved soil & moisture conservation activities such as ridge area treatment, drainage line treatment, rain water harvesting, in-situ moisture conservation and other allied activities on watershed basis.

• PMKSY is converging with MGNREGS for creation of water source to full potential in identified backward rainfed blocks including renovation of traditional water sources.

Present Status: Ensured rainwater harvesting through ‘Jal Sanchay’ and ‘Jal Sinchan’ by micro-water storage construction.

• Geo tagging of structures created underthe scheme has led to transparency and accountability
• Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP) to repair and rehabilitate dam projects in India
• Major irrigation projects taken up in Karnataka like Karanga project, Sri Rameshwar Irrigation Project etc.
• Constituted Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal to adjudicate water dispute of River Cauvery between the states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Pondicherry
• Long term irrigation fund has been constituted under the NABARD to fast track irrigation projects.

Challenges: Overlapping of powers and jurisdiction between Ministries of government.

• Environmental and electrification costs linked with implementation of Inter-linking of rivers projects are very high.
• Decentralized state level planning and execution structure that allows states to draw up a District Irrigation Plan (DIP) and a State Irrigation Plan (SIP) is missing at the ground level.
• Rehabilitation of people affected by river interlinking projects is a massive challenge.
• Rapid depletion of aquifers and emergence of arsenic and fluoride in groundwater of many states.

Ways to Improve: Take into account a comprehensive and holistic view of the entire “water cycle” of India

• Ensure proper ‘water budgeting’ for all sectors namely, household, agriculture and industries.
• Ensure convergence of various schemes of Ministries, departments, research and financial institutions engaged in creation/use/recycling/potential recycling of water.
• Ensure developmental perspective of the district is in consonance with long term national developmental plans to ensure water security.
• Shifting of water from “State List” to “Concurrent List” to ensure judicious use of water resources (as per Ashok Chawla Committee recommendations).