Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana: Per Drop More Crop

About Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana: Per Drop More Crop

Launched on 1st July 2015 by the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India, the “Per Drop More Crop” arm of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana is centred on lifting water-use efficiency at the farm level through Micro Irrigation (Drip and Sprinkler Irrigation Systems). It also backs micro-level water storage and water conservation/management work (Other Interventions) to shore up water sources that feed into Micro Irrigation. Objectives:

• Expand the area under micro irrigation technologies to lift the country’s water use efficiency.
• Raise crop productivity and farmer incomes through precision water management.
• Push micro-irrigation technologies into water-intensive crops such as sugarcane, banana, and cotton, while also widening coverage of field crops under micro-irrigation.
• Use micro irrigation systems as a platform for promoting fertigation.
• Extend micro-irrigation technologies into water-scarce, water-stressed, and critical groundwater blocks/districts.
• Pair tube-well/river-lift irrigation projects with micro irrigation technologies so that energy used for lifting and pressurised irrigation is put to the best possible use.
• Build convergence and synergy with ongoing programmes and schemes, particularly around created water sources, integrating solar energy for pressurised irrigation, and similar efforts.
• Promote, develop, and spread micro irrigation technology for agriculture and horticulture using modern scientific knowledge.
• Open up employment for skilled and unskilled workers, especially unemployed youth, in installing and maintaining micro irrigation systems.

Important Features:

• Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) does not stop at creating water sources for assured irrigation — it also builds protective irrigation by capturing rainwater at the micro level through ‘Jal Sanchay’ and ‘Jal Sinchan’. Micro irrigation is a core piece of the scheme aimed at maximising farm-level water use efficiency.
• The scheme rests on four components: Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP), Per Drop More Crop (PDMC), Har Khet Ko Pani, and Watershed Development.
• Per Drop More Crop: covers micro-level storage structures, efficient water conveyance & application, precision irrigation systems, topping up input costs beyond MGNREGA permissible limits, secondary storage, water lifting devices, extension activities, and coordination & management — implemented by DAC&FW.

Nodal Department:

• Since PMKSY’s end goal is efficient delivery and application of water at every farm to lift agricultural production & productivity, the State Agriculture Department may act as the Nodal Department for implementing PMKSY (Per Drop More Crop). That said, State Governments are free to name a nodal department suited to their own institutional setup and mandate. Communication between the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) and the State Government is preferably routed through this nodal department.
• States are free to designate dedicated implementing agencies/departments to carry out Per Drop More Crop.