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Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana … — Govt Scheme for UPSC | Vaidra
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Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY)

Ministry of Jal ShaktiactiveAgricultureLaunched: 2015-07-01

About the Scheme

PMKSY provides end-to-end solutions for water use efficiency in agriculture under the motto "Har Khet Ko Pani, More Crop Per Drop". Four components: AIBP (irrigation projects), PMKSY-HKKP (Har Khet Ko Pani), PMKSY-WDC (watershed), PMKSY-Microirrigation. Budget: ₹93,068 crore (2021-26). 22+ lakh hectares brought under new irrigation.

Target Beneficiaries: Farmers in rain-fed areas; irrigation beneficiaries; 22+ lakh ha new irrigated area

Official Website →

✦Key Features

  • Four components: AIBP (accelerated irrigation benefits), HKKP (Har Khet Ko Pani), WDC (watershed), Microirrigation
  • Budget: ₹93,068 crore for 2021-26; 100% central funding for AIBP ERM projects
  • 22+ lakh hectares new irrigated area created
  • AIBP: 60 incomplete major/medium irrigation projects; 14.95 lakh ha potential created
  • Microirrigation (drip + sprinkler): 55+ lakh ha covered; saves 40-50% water
  • Per Drop More Crop: microirrigation fund of ₹5,000 crore with NABARD
  • PM Krishi Sinchai Yojana covers both surface and groundwater irrigation

✓Eligibility Criteria

  • All categories of farmers including landholders, tenant farmers, and sharecroppers with valid land records.
  • Members of Cooperative Societies, Self Help Groups, and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) involved in agriculture.
  • States and Union Territories acting as implementing agencies for irrigation infrastructure projects.
  • Farmers adopting micro-irrigation systems such as drip or sprinkler irrigation on their farms.

★Benefits

  • Subsidies ranging from 45% to 55% for the installation of drip and sprinkler irrigation systems on farmland.
  • Improved water use efficiency and increased crop productivity through modernized irrigation techniques.
  • Financial assistance for the construction of farm ponds and small-scale water harvesting structures.
  • Systemic outcomes including groundwater recharge and reduced cost of cultivation due to precise water delivery.

▶Application Process

  • Register on the official PMKSY portal or the respective state government's agriculture department website.
  • Submit a project proposal or application for specific components like 'Per Drop More Crop' to the District Irrigation Plan office.
  • Coordinate with the local agricultural officer for a mandatory field verification and technical site inspection.
  • Finalize the selection of empanelled vendors for the installation of micro-irrigation equipment.

₹ Budget Allocation

93068

Funding Ratio (Centre:State): 60:40 (General States), 90:10 (NE and Hilly States), 100% (UTs without legislature)

Exam Relevance

GS Paper: GS3

Prelims Relevance8%
Mains Relevance9%

Syllabus Tags

AgricultureIrrigationWaterFood SecurityGS3

Historical Context

Launched in 2015 by merging the Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (MoJS), Integrated Watershed Management Programme (MoRD), and On Farm Water Management (MoA&FW).

Exclusion Criteria

  • Farmers already receiving similar irrigation benefits under state-specific schemes for the same land parcel.
  • Non-operational land holdings.

Sub-Schemes

Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP)

Focuses on faster completion of major and medium irrigation projects.

Har Khet Ko Pani (HKKP)

Sub-components include Command Area Development and Groundwater development.

Challenges

  • Slow completion rate of AIBP projects due to land acquisition issues.
  • High initial cost of micro-irrigation systems for marginal farmers.
  • Regional disparity in implementation, with Eastern India lagging behind Western/Southern India.
  • Declining groundwater tables hindering the success of tube-well based HKKP components.

Reforms & Recommendations

  • Integration with PM-KUSUM to provide solar-powered drip irrigation.
  • Creation of a 'Micro-irrigation Fund' with NABARD to lower interest rates for small farmers.
  • Mandatory water auditing for Command Area Development.

Performance Statistics

Metric

19 million hectares

Source: PIB/Ministry of Agriculture

Metric

2.5 million hectares

Source: Ministry of Jal Shakti

Critical Analysis

PMKSY marks a paradigm shift in Indian irrigation policy by moving away from a 'large-dam-centric' approach to a 'field-centric' decentralized water management model. Its core strength lies in the integration of various departments under the 'Har Khet Ko Pani' (HKKP) and 'More Crop Per Drop' (PDMC) pillars. However, the critical gap remains the 'last-mile connectivity' between the canal head and the farmer's field. While Micro-Irrigation (MI) has seen high adoption in states like Gujarat and Karnataka, the capital-intensive nature of drip systems remains a barrier for small and marginal farmers despite subsidies. The extension of the scheme (PMKSY 2.0) until 2026 emphasizes the completion of long-delayed Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP) projects, which is vital for unlocking the irrigation potential created (IPC).

SDG Linkages

SDG 2.4 (Sustainable food production)SDG 6.4 (Increase water-use efficiency)

Constitutional Backing

Article 48 (Directive Principles: Organization of agriculture and animal husbandry).Seventh Schedule: Water (State List), but the Union has powers over Inter-state rivers (Entry 56, Union List).

Technology Used

Bhuvan (ISRO) for geo-taggingMIS (Management Information System) portalDrip and Sprinkler automated sensors

Success Stories

Jalyukt Shivar Abhiyan convergence with PMKSY-Watershed

Key Takeaways

  • Motto: Har Khet Ko Pani and More Crop Per Drop.
  • Four components: AIBP, HKKP, Watershed Development, and PDMC.
  • Emphasis on decentralized state-level planning through District Irrigation Plans (DIP).

Probable Questions

Analyze the role of PMKSY in addressing the spatial and temporal variability of water availability in Indian agriculture.

MediumHigh

Mains Answer Fodder

PMKSY is a critical tool for achieving 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' in agriculture by reducing monsoon dependency. It addresses the 'Nexus of Water-Energy-Food' by promoting micro-irrigation which saves 20-30% energy and 40-50% water. Use as a case study for 'Sustainable Water Management' and 'Climate Resilient Agriculture' in GS3 papers.

Convergence Schemes

  • MGNREGA (for water harvesting structures)
  • PM-KUSUM (for solar pumps)
  • Atal Bhujal Yojana

Sector Tags

AgricultureIrrigationWater Resources