Why in the news
PMKSY, India’s umbrella scheme for irrigation, was highlighted with its latest progress: 53 projects completed under its AIBP component, adding 25.14 lakh hectares of irrigation potential.
Key facts
- Launch: 1 July 2015; type: Centrally Sponsored Scheme (Core Scheme).
- Goals: more water access for farms, larger assured-irrigation area, better water-use efficiency and sustainable conservation.
- Mottos: Har Khet Ko Paani and Per Drop More Crop.
- Outlay: Rs 50,000 crore (2015-2020); about Rs 93,068 crore (2021-2026).
Funding and ministries
| Item | Detail |
|---|
| General states | Centre 75%, State 25% |
| North-Eastern and Hilly states | Centre 90%, State 10% |
| AIBP and HKKP | Ministry of Jal Shakti |
| Watershed Development | Rural Development Ministry, Department of Land Resources |
| Per Drop More Crop component | Ministry of Agriculture (Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare) |
Components
- AIBP: began in 1996, folded into PMKSY in 2015; gives Central Loan Assistance for major and medium projects beyond state means, with focus on tribal and drought-prone areas and SC/ST farmers. 53 projects completed, 25.14 lakh ha potential.
- Har Khet Ko Pani: creates new water sources through minor irrigation and renovates water bodies. Sub-parts: Command Area Development and Water Management (85 ongoing projects targeting 30.23 lakh ha for 2021-2026), Surface Minor Irrigation, Repair Renovation and Restoration of water bodies, and Ground Water Development (new approvals only to 2021-22).
- Watershed Development: runoff management and soil-moisture conservation such as ridge and drainage line treatment and rainwater harvesting; now WDC-PMKSY 2.0 (2021-2026) with Rs 8,134 crore and a 49.50 lakh ha target.
- Per Drop More Crop: micro-irrigation through drip and sprinklers, plus capacity building; shifted to RKVY as RKVY-Cafeteria from 2022-23.
Schemes merged to form PMKSY
| Earlier scheme | Parent body |
|---|
| Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme | Water Resources Ministry (now Jal Shakti) |
| Integrated Watershed Management Programme | Department of Land Resources, Rural Development |
| On-Farm Water Management | Department of Agriculture and Cooperation |
Objectives
- Converge irrigation investment at field level through district irrigation plans.
- Adopt precision irrigation and save water; recharge aquifers.
- Develop rainfed areas through watershed methods and spread awareness on water harvesting and crop alignment.
- Examine using treated city wastewater on farms near towns.
Exam angle
- Launched: 1 July 2015; sharing: 75:25 and 90:10.
- AIBP: started 1996; PDMC: moved to RKVY from 2022-23.
- Implementing ministries: Jal Shakti, Rural Development, Agriculture.