Know Everything About Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• What is Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana?
• Objectives of PM Krishi Sinchai Yojana
• Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana Benefits
• Eligibility for PM Krishi Sinchai Yojana
• Application Process of PM Krishi Sinchai Yojana
• Components of PM Krishi Sinchai Yojana
  • Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Program (AIBP)
  • Har Khet Ko Pani (HKKP)
  • Watershed Development
  • Per Drop More Crop (PDMC)

Introduction

Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) was introduced by the Government of India in 2015 to improve water access to farms. Due to dependence on monsoon, farmers face water scarcity that results in crop failure. Also, they face limited access to irrigation water because of uneven distribution of rainfall. Another major issue is insufficient and outdated irrigation infrastructure that causes water wastage.

The water table is continuously depleting as groundwater is being extracted extensively. All these factors make access to water highly challenging for Indian farmers and result in reduced crop yields. To address these issues, the government started PMKSY to ensure efficient water management. This flagship program covers several water-saving initiatives to enhance crop productivity and ensure water use efficiency.

Go through the article to learn more about all the PMKSY scheme details, including Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana launch date, objectives and PMKSY benefits.

What is Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana?

Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana is a centrally sponsored scheme launched with the motto of ‘Har Khet Ko Pani’. The PMKSY launch date is 1^st July 2015. Its key goals include the expansion of cultivated areas under assured irrigation, improvement in water use efficiency and reduction in water wastage.

PM Krishi Sinchai Yojana also aims to promote protective irrigation with the help of rainwater harvesting. This is being achieved through programs like ‘Jal Sinchan’ and ‘Jal Sanchay’. This scheme offers subsidises to farmers to take up micro-irrigation practices and achieve ‘Per drop - More crop’.

Objectives of PM Krishi Sinchai Yojana

Following is the list of the broad objectives of PM Krishi Sinchai Yojana:

• At the field level, its objective is to converge investments in irrigation.
• Har Khet Ko Pani: Farmers should have better access to irrigation water on farms.
• Exploring methods to reuse municipal wastewater that has been treated for peri-urban agriculture.
• Promotion of efficient water management and harvesting.
• Work towards the integrated development of areas that are rain-fed with the help of the watershed approach.
• To integrate water source, its distribution and efficient use using suitable practice and technologies for ensuring best water use.
• Focus on recharging aquifers and encourage sustainable farming initiatives.
• Per Drop – More Crop: Encourage the adoption of water-saving technologies like precision irrigation.
• Improve water use on farms to overcome water scarcity and reduce its wastage.
• Ensure more investments in irrigation from the private sector.

Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana Benefits

PM Krishi Sinchai Yojana primarily focuses on water management and conservation. Following are the noteworthy Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana benefits:

• PMKSY has brought improvements in irrigation and water conservation facilities. For example, several water harvesting structures like chaal-khaal, roof water harvesting tanks and irrigation tanks have been constructed in Champawat, Uttarakhand. The water level of natural water resources has increased due to this scheme. 
• Water storage infrastructure and watershed management practices help resolve the issue of water shortage in several areas. Farmers get a reliable water source even during dry spells. The Har Khet Ko Pani component has improved groundwater irrigation by constructing tubewells and wells and reduced reliance on rainwater.
• With the help of the Per Drop – More Crop component, water use efficiency has been improved. There is less wastage of water at farm level with the help of micro-irrigation systems.
• As irrigation facilities are improving, farmers can diversify their cropping patterns now. It leads to increased crop productivity and higher income for farmers.
• PMKSY promotes sustainable agriculture in India by optimising water use, conserving water and using precision irrigation techniques. Efficient irrigation practices support the long-term sustainability of agriculture.

Eligibility for PM Krishi Sinchai Yojana

Following are the eligibility criteria for PMSKY:

• Must be an Indian citizen.
• Farmers from all states and union territories can benefit from this scheme.
• The beneficiary will receive the subsidy restricted to a 5-hectare ceiling for a single beneficiary.

Application Process of PM Krishi Sinchai Yojana

Eligible farmers can apply for the PM Krishi Sinchai Yojana through offline or online (MIS) mode. They can contact the Kisan Call Centre or the Agriculture Officer of your Block or District. Then, they need to fill the required details in the application form received from the concerned authority.

Mandatory documents have to be attached and the form must be signed. Following is the list of documents required:

• Bank Account Details
• Aadhaar Card
• Passport size photograph
• Address proof
• Domicile Certificate
• If applicable, a Caste Certificate
• Proof of agricultural land documents

The last step is to submit the form to the designated receiving authority and getting a receipt for a successful submission. It is important to note that the beneficiaries will receive the financial assistance via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

Components of PM Krishi Sinchai Yojana

The programme components of PM Krishi Sinchai Yojana are:

Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Program (AIBP)

This component of PMKSY aims to complete the ongoing medium and major irrigation projects faster. This flagship programme offers financial assistance to these projects. The Ministry of Jal Shakti is responsible for completing projects under AIBP. In 2023, 53 projects were reported to be completed.  

Har Khet Ko Pani (HKKP)

HKKP aims to increase the cultivable area that is covered under assured irrigation. The Command Area Development & Water Management programme (CADWM) funds this component.

The HKKP component aims to:

• Develop new sources of water with the help of Minor Irrigation.
• Create and revive traditional systems of water storage, like Bandhas, Katas, Dongs, Ooranis and Jal Mandir.
• Jal Sanchay: Repair, restore and renovate water bodies, construct rainwater harvesting structures and strengthen the carrying capacity of traditional sources of water.
• Groundwater development
• Command area development
• Divert water from different sources to water-scarce areas.
• Improve water management and distribution system.

Watershed Development

The focus of this component is on managing runoff water effectively and improvement in soil and moisture conservation activities. It includes in-situ moisture conservation, rainwater harvesting, ridge area treatment and drainage line treatment. During 2015-22, an additional 14.54 lakh hectares area was covered under protective irrigation.

For 2021-26, the water development component will continue with a budget allocation of INR 8,134 crore. Upon NITI Aayog's recommendation, Springshed rejuvenation has been added to this component.

Per Drop More Crop (PDMC)

Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare has implemented this component from 2015-22. The goal of the Per Drop – More Crop component is to maximise the efficiency of water use at the farm level. It focuses on micro-irrigation and encourages activities like drip irrigation, sprinkler irrigation and Supplementary Water Management Activities (SWMA).

Small and marginal farmers receive financial assistance at 55% to install micro-irrigation systems. This assistance is 45% for other farmers. Under PDMC, 83.06 lakh hectares of the area have come under micro-irrigation from 2015-23. Also, PDMC was transferred under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) in 2022-23.

PM Krishi Sinchai Yojana has come a long way in increasing water use efficiency. For this purpose, PMKSY has components like AIBP, HKKP, watershed development and PDMC. It has resulted in reduced water wastage and the expansion of assured irrigation areas.