Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana

Substantial dependence on rainfall makes cultivation in unirrigated areas a high risk, less productive profession. Empirical evidence suggests that assured or protective irrigation encourages farmers to invest more in farming technology and inputs leading to productivity enhancement and increased farm income.

About the scheme

The vision of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) is to ensure access to some means of protective irrigation to all agricultural farms in the country, to produce ‘per drop more crop’, thus bringing much desired rural prosperity.
Launched in 2015 by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, PMKSY has been conceived amalgamating ongoing schemes viz. Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP), Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) and the On Farm Water Management (OFWM).

Broad objectives of PMKSY

Achieve convergence of investments in irrigation at the field level (preparation of district level and, if required, sub district level water use plans).
Enhance the physical access of water on the farm and expand cultivable area under assured irrigation (Har Khet ko pani),
Integration of water source, distribution and its efficient use, to make best use of water through appropriate technologies and practices.
Improve on-farm water use efficiency to reduce wastage and increase availability both in duration and extent.
Enhance the adoption of precision-irrigation and other water saving technologies (More crop per drop).
Enhance recharge of aquifers and introduce sustainable water conservation practices.

Four components of PMKSY:

- - To focus on faster completion of ongoing Major and Medium Irrigation including National Projects.

- - Activities including Creation of new water sources through Minor Irrigation and Creation and rejuvenation of traditional water storage systems like Jal Mandir (Gujarat); Khatri, Kuhl (H.P.); Zabo (Nagaland); Eri, Ooranis (T.N.); Dongs (Assam); Katas, Bandhas (Odisha and M.P.) etc. at feasible locations.

- - Promoting efficient water conveyance and precision water application devices like drips, sprinklers, pivots, rain-guns in the farm.

- Effective rainfall management like field bunding, contour bunding/trenching, staggered trenching, land levelling, mulching etc. and Creating Water harvesting structures such as check dams, nala bund, farm ponds, tanks etc.

Implementation

PMKSY adopts a ‘decentralized State level planning and projectized execution’ structure that allows States to draw up their own irrigation development plans based on District Irrigation Plan (DIP) and State Irrigation Plan (SIP).
PMKSY acts as a convergence platform for all water sector activities including drinking water & sanitation, MGNREGA, application of science & technology etc. through comprehensive plans.

The Ministry of Jal Shakti has said that more than 22 thousand 500 irrigation wells have been constructed under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayi Yojana.
As of November 2021, nearly 36 thousand small and marginal farmers have been benefited under the scheme.

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