MICRO IRRIGATION SUBSIDY:
Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojna
In India, micro-irrigation subsidy is covered under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojna (known as PMKSY), which was launched on 1st of July 2015 with an intention to encourage micro-irrigation and promote its benefits through heavier subsidies based on the category of farmers. It aims at relieving farmers off the initial irrigation investment burden to a considerable extent. PMKSY is a multi-focused plan comprised of 4 elements.
- Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Program:It involves loan assistance to states to help them complete the incomplete major/ medium-sized irrigation projects that were at an advanced completion of the stage, thus accelerating the execution of the irrigation projects.
- PMKSY (Har Khet ko Pani):This refers to increase the cultivable land area under assured irrigation, and also increase the physical access of water on the farm.
- PMKSY (More Crop Per Drop):The focus here is improving water use efficiency in an organized and focused manner.
- PMKSY (Watershed Development):This program focuses on prudent utilization of water and land resources, through various mediums such as prevention of soil erosion, increasing crop productivity, harvesting rainwater, etc.
Through the micro-irrigation subsidy proposition that falls under the Per Drop More Crop element of PMKSY, both state and the central government, on an average, contribute to 55% and 45% of the total finances incurred in setting up irrigation systems for small and marginal farmers and for other farmers respectively. Nevertheless, state-specific variations exist.
Background
The Government of India has been implementing Centrally Sponsored Scheme on Micro Irrigation with the objective to enhance water use efficiency in the agriculture sector by promoting appropriate technological interventions like drip & sprinkler irrigation technologies and encourage the farmers to use water saving and conservation technologies.
The Scheme was launched by the Department of Agriculture & Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture in January, 2006 as Centrally Sponsored Scheme on Micro Irrigation (CSS). In June, 2010, it was up-scaled to National Mission on Micro Irrigation (NMMI), which continued till the year 2013-14.
From 1st April, 2014, NMMI was subsumed under National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) and implemented as “On Farm Water Management” (OFWM) during the financial year 2014-15.
From 1st April 2015, Micro Irrigation component of OFWM has been subsumed under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana. It will be implemented as Centrally Sponsored Scheme on Micro Irrigation during the financial year 2015-16 as per the same pattern of assistance and cost norms as were prevailing under OFWM, until revised.
Introduction to PMKSY
The verbatim content of Hon’ble President of India’s address to the joint Session of the Parliament of 16th Lok Sabha is reproduced below:- “Each drop of water is precious. My government is committed to giving high priority to water security. It will complete the long pending irrigation projects on priority and launch the ‘Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana’ with the motto of ‘Har Khet Ko Paani’. There is a need for seriously considering all options including linking of rivers, where feasible; for ensuring optimal use of our water resources to prevent the recurrence of flood and drought. By harnessing rain water through ‘Jal Sanchay’ and ‘Jal Sinchan’, we will nurture water conservation and ground water recharge. Micro irrigation will be popularized to ensure ‘Per drop-More crop’ “.
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Links for State Wise Micro Irrigation Subsidies
The table offers links that would help get more and detailed insights about micro-irrigation subsidy for a particular state.
