Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana {प्रधान मंत्री कृषि सिंचाई योजना}

PMKSY or Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana is an initiative by the government of India; this scheme aims to improve the productivity in the farms and utilize the resources of the country in the best way possible. The vision was to enable assured sprinkling approach as “Har Khet Ko Pani” and to increase efficient use of the farm water as “More Crop Per Drop” in a stricter approach along with “Integrated Value Chain” method focusing on management, distribution, field application, creation and certain activities.

Budget

First, the budget was 53 billion dollars for at least the year 2015-2016 was allocated for this scheme. Then at the Cabinet Committee meeting, the decision was taken on July 1, 2015, under the supervision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Then, the scheme was sanctioned with the budget of INR 50000 crore with the tenure of five years.

Objectives

The scheme has the following purposes:

• To accomplish meeting of investments in spraying of water in the fields.
• To improvise the access of water in the farms and broaden the cultivation area under guaranteed irrigation of water
• Supply of regular water source and it’s an efficient and secure distribution to make the best use of appropriate techniques and suitable technologies.
• To enhance the use of on-farm water and, at the same time reducing the wastage and boost availability both in extent and duration.
• Improvising the techniques of sprinkling and providing water precision and, at the same time, making enhancement in saving water technologies.
• To improve the quality of recharge of the aquifers and set up better water conservation techniques.
• Make specific provisions on the incorporated expansion of rain-fed areas using watershed methods, methods for soil and water preservation, arresting runoff, regeneration of groundwater, and giving livelihood options and evaluation of other NRM activities.
• Enhancing activities relating to water harvesting, water conservation, water, and crop alignment.
• Promote better private investments in the irrigation of water.

Strategy

• Construction of New Water resources.
• Augmenting Irrigation sources.
• Increasing scientific moisture conservation.
• Persuading community irrigation via registered user groups.
• Encouraging efficient water supply and field application for the farms.
• Bringing awareness about farming and increasing capacity assembling activities.

Advantages of the Scheme

• Higher Profits
• Water Saving & Water Use Efficiency (WUE)
• Less Energy Costs
• Higher fertilizer-use efficiency (FUE)
• Reduced Labor Costs
• Reduce Soli Loss
• Marginal Solis & Water
• Efficient & Flexible
• Improved Crop Quality
• Higher Yields

Components of the scheme

Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Program (AIBP)

One of the primary goals of this scheme is to accelerate the accomplishment of the currently running water irrigation projects, which also includes some national plans. 

Har Khet Ko Pani

The water irrigation techniques used in this project must be utilized through the Command Area Development, and there must be the construction of new water resources. The main focus will be on increasing the cultivating areas and ensuring that every field is getting enough water supplies as per the scheme “Har Khet KO Pani” which will be fully funded by the current CADWM or Command Area Development & Water Management project. 

Per Drop More Crop

“Per Drop More Crop” is an integral part of this scheme, which focuses on increasing the water usage at the farm level with more efficiency. Some of the essential activities under Per Drop More Crop are categorized into “Micro Irrigation,” which includes sprinkler, drip and micro sprinklers etc. Also, the SWMA includes activities like construction of farm-level storage is secondary structures like groundwater development, water harvesting, repair of existing water bodies, enhancing water supply efficiency, and water-lifting devices. 

Integrated Watershed Management Program (IWMP)

The IWMP project is implemented under the given guidelines by the Watershed Development project of 2008, which was again revised in 2012. The unit cost for watershed development is Rs. 12,000 per ha in plains and Rs. 15,000 per ha in hilly areas. And the funding pattern is 60% from the Central Government and 40% from the State Government.

Implementation

National Level Implementation

The PMKSY’s Mission Directorate is established in the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development, and Ganga Rejuvenation for mission mode implementation of the program. The National Steering Committee and National Executive Committee are the primary committees functioning at the National level that oversee the implementation of the program, allocate resources, and undertake monitoring and performance assessment, etc. At the execution level, AIBP and CADWM are implemented by the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Per Drop More Crop and IWMP are administered by the Department of Agriculture & Cooperation and Department of Land Resources respectively. National Rainfed Area Authority supports DoLR in the implementation of IWMP.

State-Level Implementation

The State Department of Agriculture is the nodal department for the implementation of this scheme. However, the implementing departments for the four components are decided by the respective program Ministry. State Level Sanctioning Committee or SLSC is constituted under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary of the State to sanction projects and activities as recommended by Inter-Departmental Working Group or IDWG which is chaired by the Agricultural Production Commissioner. 

District Level Implementation

At the district level, District Level Implementation Committee or DLIC takes care of the implementation of this scheme. DLIC is chaired by the District Collector or Magistrate or the Zilla Parishad of District Rural Development Agency. Members of DLIC include the Joint Director or Deputy Director of line departments of rural or agriculture in the district, progressive farmers, representatives from Micro Irrigation Industry, and leading NGOs. 

You will be able to find more details about this scheme on its official website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is PMKSY?

PMKSY is a scheme for the farmers to increase efficiency of farm water and better techniques of water conservation.

Q. When was this scheme implemented?

This scheme was implemented in 2015 with tenure of five years.

Q. What is the budget of this scheme?

The budget of this scheme is INR 50000 Crore.

Q. What is the major objective of the scheme?

The major objective of the scheme is to resolve the problems regarding the irrigation of on-farm water and to reduce the wastage of water. 

Q. Who approved the Prime Minister Krishi Sinchayee Yojana?

In the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Humble Prime Minister Narendra Modi has gave approval of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana to solve the dependency of agriculture on monsoon and rain by introducing irrigation of on-farm water efficiently. 

Q. How is it implemented?

There is a three tier implementation program as State, National and District level implementation.

Q. What is the targeted area for the operation of this scheme?

The scheme had the vision of providing irrigation of on-farm water for 13.4 lakhs hectare area.

Q. What is the strategy used under this scheme?

The construction of efficient water resources and augmenting irrigation sources while increasing scientific moisture conservation is the strategy exercised under this scheme.

Q. What are the benefits of the scheme?

Preservation and efficient use of water is one of the major benefits of this scheme.