Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana
The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY) is a flagship initiative of the Government of India aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity and ensuring better utilization of water resources. Launched on July 1, 2015, the PMKSY represents a concerted effort to address the critical need for irrigation infrastructure development and efficient water resource management in the Indian agricultural sector.
Objectives
The primary objectives of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana are as follows:
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Expand Cultivable Area under Assured Irrigation: The program aims to bring more agricultural areas under assured irrigation, thereby increasing the productivity of the land.
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Improve On-farm Water Use Efficiency: By promoting efficient water management practices, PMKSY seeks to minimize wastage and optimize the use of available water resources.
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Enhance Adoption of Precision-irrigation: Techniques such as drip and sprinkler irrigation are encouraged under the program to ensure water conservation and increased crop yield.
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Promote Sustainable Water Conservation and Management: The scheme emphasizes sustainable water conservation practices, integrating watershed management with irrigation systems.
Implementation
The PMKSY is implemented in a decentralized manner with the collaboration of state governments. It is overseen by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare and involves multiple components:
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Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Program (AIBP): Focuses on the creation of major and medium irrigation projects to expedite the completion of ongoing projects in targeted areas.
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Har Khet Ko Pani: Aims to provide water to every field by developing efficient distributed network systems and promoting rainwater harvesting.
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Per Drop More Crop: Encourages micro-irrigation techniques to use water efficiently with improved agricultural practices.
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Watershed Development: Includes soil and water conservation projects, afforestation, and pasture development.
Financial Outlay
Initially, the PMKSY was approved with an outlay of ₹50,000 crore for five years (2015-16 to 2019-20). The scheme's financial scope was later expanded, reflecting its importance in ensuring the sustainable development of the agricultural sector. By 2025, additional funding was allocated to continue and expand the scheme's reach and efficacy.
Impact
The scheme has been instrumental in addressing water scarcity issues and improving agricultural output across India. It has led to increased irrigation coverage and has supported farmers in adopting modern agricultural practices. The PMKSY plays a critical role in achieving the broader goals of food security and rural prosperity in India.