The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY) is a flagship scheme launched by the Indian government to enhance irrigation coverage and improve water use efficiency in agriculture. This initiative aims to achieve the vision of ‘Har Khet Ko Pani’ (Water for Every Field) and ensure the sustainability of agriculture in India. PMKSY focuses on expanding the irrigation network, improving on-farm water management, and promoting efficient water use techniques.
Launched in 2015 to address irrigation challenges.
Focus on sustainable agriculture through efficient water use.
Multi-ministry coordination for comprehensive implementation.
What is Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana?
The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY) is an umbrella scheme aimed at providing irrigation facilities to farmers, ensuring efficient water usage, and increasing agricultural productivity. Initiated in 2015, the scheme integrates various irrigation projects and promotes water conservation practices across the country. The primary goal is to achieve the motto ‘Per Drop, More Crop,’ signifying efficient water usage to maximize agricultural output.
PMKSY addresses critical issues like drought, water scarcity, and inefficient irrigation methods that hinder agricultural productivity. The scheme also promotes micro-irrigation techniques such as drip and sprinkler systems to conserve water and improve crop yields. By improving water availability and management, PMKSY plays a crucial role in ensuring food security and enhancing farmers’ livelihoods.
Functions of PM Krishi Sinchai Yojana
The PM Krishi Sinchai Yojana has several core functions designed to transform India’s irrigation landscape and boost agricultural productivity.
Expanding Irrigation Coverage: PMKSY aims to cover more agricultural land under irrigation by creating new water sources and rejuvenating existing ones. This includes the construction of canals, wells, and ponds to ensure every farm has access to water.
Water Use Efficiency: The scheme promotes advanced irrigation techniques like drip and sprinkler systems to optimize water use. These methods ensure that water reaches the roots of the plants directly, reducing wastage and increasing crop yields.
Improving On-Farm Water Management: PMKSY emphasizes better water management practices at the farm level. This includes educating farmers on soil moisture conservation, rainwater harvesting, and efficient water distribution methods.
Promoting Conjunctive Use of Surface and Ground Water: By integrating the use of surface and groundwater resources, the scheme ensures sustainable water use and mitigates the over-exploitation of groundwater.
Increasing Water Storage Capacity: The scheme focuses on enhancing the water storage capacity through the construction of reservoirs, check dams, and other water harvesting structures. This helps in maintaining a steady water supply during dry periods.
Technology Adoption: PMKSY encourages the adoption of modern technologies like satellite imagery and remote sensing for better water resource management and planning.
Institutional Support: The scheme provides institutional support to farmers through training programs, awareness campaigns, and financial assistance to adopt new irrigation techniques and practices.
Components of PMKSY
The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana comprises several components, each addressing different aspects of irrigation and water management. These components work together to achieve the overall objectives of the scheme.
Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP): AIBP aims to expedite the completion of ongoing major and medium irrigation projects, ensuring that water reaches the intended agricultural areas promptly. This component focuses on reducing the time and cost overruns of these projects.
Har Khet Ko Pani (HKKP): HKKP aims to provide water to every farm. It includes the creation of new water sources, repair, and restoration of existing ones, and development of distribution networks. The goal is to ensure that all agricultural land has access to adequate water.
Per Drop More Crop (PDMC): PDMC focuses on enhancing water use efficiency through micro-irrigation techniques like drip and sprinkler systems. This component promotes the judicious use of water, ensuring that crops receive the right amount of water at the right time.
Watershed Development: This component aims to improve soil and water conservation in rain-fed areas. It includes measures like afforestation, soil erosion control, and the construction of water harvesting structures to enhance the water availability and productivity of these areas.
Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP): IWMP focuses on the holistic development of watersheds, improving the overall ecosystem, and increasing agricultural productivity. This component includes soil and moisture conservation, water harvesting, and sustainable land management practices.
Ministries Involved in Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Scheme
The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana involves multiple ministries working together to ensure the successful implementation and coordination of the scheme. Each ministry plays a specific role in addressing different aspects of irrigation and water management.
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare: This ministry is primarily responsible for the overall coordination and implementation of PMKSY. It ensures that the scheme’s objectives align with the broader goals of agricultural development and farmers’ welfare.
Ministry of Water Resources, River Development, and Ganga Rejuvenation: This ministry focuses on water resource management, the development of irrigation infrastructure, and the rejuvenation of water bodies. It plays a crucial role in expanding irrigation coverage and enhancing water availability.
Ministry of Rural Development: The Ministry of Rural Development contributes to PMKSY through watershed development programs and soil conservation projects. It aims to improve water availability in rural areas and enhance the livelihoods of small and marginal farmers.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: This ministry ensures that the scheme’s implementation is environmentally sustainable. It focuses on afforestation, soil conservation, and the development of eco-friendly water management practices.
Ministry of Finance: The Ministry of Finance provides the necessary financial support and ensures the efficient allocation of funds for the various components of PMKSY. It monitors the financial progress and ensures the timely release of funds.
What are the Other Initiatives Related to Agriculture?
Apart from the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana, the Indian government has launched several other initiatives to support and enhance the agricultural sector. These initiatives aim to address various challenges faced by farmers and promote sustainable agricultural practices.
Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY): This crop insurance scheme provides financial support to farmers in the event of crop failure due to natural calamities, pests, or diseases. It aims to stabilize farmers’ incomes and ensure their economic security.
Soil Health Card Scheme: The Soil Health Card Scheme aims to promote the balanced and sustainable use of fertilizers by providing farmers with soil health cards. These cards contain information about the nutrient status of their soil and recommendations for appropriate fertilizer use.
National Agriculture Market (e-NAM): e-NAM is an online trading platform that integrates agricultural markets across India. It aims to create a unified national market for agricultural commodities, enabling farmers to get better prices for their produce and reducing the role of intermediaries.
Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY): RKVY aims to achieve holistic development in agriculture and allied sectors by providing financial assistance to states for implementing agricultural projects. It focuses on increasing agricultural productivity, ensuring food security, and improving farmers’ incomes.
Kisan Credit Card (KCC): The Kisan Credit Card scheme provides farmers with easy access to credit for agricultural activities. It aims to meet the short-term credit requirements of farmers and reduce their dependence on informal sources of credit.
Conclusion
The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY) is a comprehensive scheme designed to address the critical challenges of irrigation and water management in Indian agriculture. By expanding irrigation coverage, promoting efficient water use, and integrating various water management practices, PMKSY plays a crucial role in enhancing agricultural productivity and ensuring the sustainability of the agricultural sector. The involvement of multiple ministries and the integration of various components make PMKSY a robust and effective scheme. Additionally, other government initiatives like PMFBY, the Soil Health Card Scheme, e-NAM, RKVY, and KCC further support the agricultural sector, ensuring the overall development and welfare of farmers in India.