Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana

Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) conceptualized on 1st July, 2015aims 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.

Objectives

  • 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
  • attract greater private investment in precision irrigation system

Components

The four major components of PMKSY are:


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

  • 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.
  • 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 other schemes.
  • 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.
  • 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 need to be conducted by Per Drop More Crop.
  • 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.

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.

Possibilities and Prospects

  • 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.
  • Shifting of water from “State List” to “Concurrent List” to ensure judicious use of water resources (as per Ashok Chawla Committee recommendations).

Present Status

  • The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved implementation of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) for 2021-26 with an outlay of Rs.93,068 crore.

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