India’s agrarian economy heavily relies on effective water management for sustainable growth. Recognizing this, the Government of India launched the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY) in July 2015. This ambitious scheme aims to provide a permanent solution to the water woes of Indian farmers by ensuring that every farm has access to water, or “Har Khet Ko Pani,” and improving water use efficiency.

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Objectives of PM Krishi Sinchai Yojana

The PMKSY was designed with the following key objectives:

1. Expand Irrigated Areas: The primary goal is to expand the coverage of irrigation in a focused manner. This includes both the expansion of existing irrigation facilities and the creation of new ones.
2. Improve Water Use Efficiency: The scheme promotes efficient water usage in agriculture through precision-irrigation techniques like drip and sprinkler systems, ensuring “More Crop per Drop.”
3. Har Khet Ko Pani: One of the main objectives is to ensure that every farm gets water. This involves creating and enhancing water sources, including rainwater harvesting and groundwater replenishment.
4. Watershed Development: The program supports watershed development to conserve soil and water, prevent erosion, and promote sustainable farming practices.
5. Enhance Farmers’ Income: By increasing irrigation efficiency and ensuring reliable water supply, the scheme aims to enhance crop productivity, which in turn boosts farmers’ incomes.

Components of PM Krishi Sinchai Yojana

PMKSY has four major components:

1. Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP): This component focuses on fast-tracking the completion of ongoing major and medium irrigation projects to ensure faster delivery of benefits to farmers.
2. Har Khet Ko Pani (HKKP): Under this, efforts are made to develop field channels, repair and restore water bodies, and promote water harvesting. Micro-irrigation is also promoted to maximize the reach of irrigation.
3. Per Drop More Crop (PDMC): This component emphasizes water use efficiency at the farm level through micro-irrigation technologies like drip and sprinkler systems. It also promotes efficient water management practices.
4. Watershed Development: Focuses on the development of rainfed areas through various soil and water conservation measures, including ridge area treatment, drainage line treatment, soil and moisture conservation, and afforestation.

Benefits of PM Krishi Sinchai Yojana

• Increased Irrigation Coverage: PMKSY has significantly increased the irrigation coverage, ensuring that more farms have access to reliable water sources.
• Efficient Water Use: The promotion of precision irrigation techniques has improved water use efficiency, reducing wastage and ensuring that crops receive adequate water.
• Enhanced Agricultural Productivity: With better water management, crop yields have improved, leading to increased agricultural productivity.
• Sustainable Farming Practices: The scheme promotes sustainable farming practices through watershed management and soil conservation, helping to protect the environment.
• Boost to Farmers’ Income: The combined effect of better irrigation and higher productivity has led to an increase in farmers’ incomes, contributing to rural prosperity.

Challenges and Future Outlook

Despite its successes, PMKSY faces several challenges:

• Infrastructure Gaps: There are still areas with inadequate irrigation infrastructure, which hampers the scheme’s full potential.
• Climate Change: The impact of climate change on water resources poses a significant challenge to the scheme’s objectives.
• Financial Constraints: The successful implementation of PMKSY requires substantial financial resources, which can be a limiting factor.

However, with continued government support and the adoption of innovative water management practices, PMKSY has the potential to transform India’s agricultural landscape.

Conclusion

The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY) is a critical step toward ensuring the sustainable growth of India’s agricultural sector. By expanding irrigation coverage, improving water use efficiency, and promoting sustainable farming practices, the scheme aims to secure the future of Indian agriculture. As the country continues to face challenges like climate change and water scarcity, PMKSY provides a robust framework to address these issues and drive agricultural prosperity.

Top 10 Key Points of PM Krishi Sinchai Yojana

• 1. Launched in July 2015: The PM Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY) was initiated by the Government of India to address water-related issues in agriculture.
• 2. Aim: “Har Khet Ko Pani”: The scheme’s primary objective is to ensure that every farm has access to water through the expansion of irrigation coverage.
• 3. Focus on Water Use Efficiency: Promotes the use of micro-irrigation techniques like drip and sprinkler systems to enhance water use efficiency—”More Crop per Drop.”
• 4. Four Major Components: The scheme includes the Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP), Har Khet Ko Pani (HKKP), Per Drop More Crop (PDMC), and Watershed Development.
• 5. Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP): Fast-tracks the completion of ongoing major and medium irrigation projects to deliver timely benefits to farmers.
• 6. Per Drop More Crop (PDMC): Emphasizes farm-level water efficiency through micro-irrigation technologies and efficient water management practices.
• 7. Watershed Development: Focuses on conserving soil and water in rainfed areas, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, and preventing erosion.
• 8. Increased Agricultural Productivity: The scheme has led to higher crop yields by ensuring reliable water supply and better water management.
• 9. Boost to Farmers’ Income: Improved irrigation coverage and efficiency have contributed to increased agricultural productivity, thus raising farmers’ incomes.
• 10. Sustainable Farming Practices: Encourages environmentally friendly farming methods through soil and water conservation, helping to protect natural resources.

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Top 20 FAQs on PM Krishi Sinchai Yojana

1. What is PM Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY)?

Answer: PM Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY) is a government initiative launched in July 2015 to enhance irrigation coverage and improve water use efficiency in agriculture. The scheme aims to provide water to every farm (“Har Khet Ko Pani”) and promote sustainable farming practices.

2. What are the main objectives of PMKSY?

Answer: The main objectives of PMKSY are to expand irrigated areas, improve water use efficiency, ensure water supply to every farm, promote watershed development, and enhance farmers’ income through better water management.

3. What are the key components of PMKSY?

Answer: PMKSY has four key components: Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP), Har Khet Ko Pani (HKKP), Per Drop More Crop (PDMC), and Watershed Development.

4. Who is eligible to benefit from PMKSY?

Answer: All farmers across India, particularly those in rainfed and drought-prone areas, are eligible to benefit from PMKSY. The scheme focuses on small and marginal farmers to ensure that they have access to irrigation facilities.

5. How does PMKSY aim to improve water use efficiency?

Answer: PMKSY promotes micro-irrigation techniques like drip and sprinkler systems, which ensure precise water delivery to crops, thereby reducing wastage and enhancing water use efficiency.

6. What is the “Har Khet Ko Pani” component?

Answer: “Har Khet Ko Pani” focuses on ensuring that every farm receives water. This includes creating and enhancing water sources, repairing existing ones, and promoting rainwater harvesting and groundwater replenishment.

7. How does the scheme support watershed development?

Answer: The Watershed Development component of PMKSY aims to conserve soil and water in rainfed areas through various measures such as ridge area treatment, drainage line treatment, soil conservation, and afforestation.

8. What is the role of the Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP)?

Answer: AIBP is designed to fast-track the completion of ongoing major and medium irrigation projects to provide immediate benefits to farmers by increasing irrigated areas.

9. What is “Per Drop More Crop” under PMKSY?

Answer: “Per Drop More Crop” is a component of PMKSY that emphasizes efficient water usage at the farm level by promoting micro-irrigation technologies like drip and sprinkler systems, leading to better crop productivity with less water.

10. How does PMKSY benefit farmers?

Answer: PMKSY benefits farmers by increasing irrigation coverage, improving water use efficiency, boosting crop productivity, and ultimately raising farmers’ incomes through reliable water supply and better management practices.

11. What are the funding mechanisms for PMKSY?

Answer: PMKSY is a centrally sponsored scheme, with funding shared between the central and state governments. The central government provides financial assistance for various components, while states contribute a specified share.

12. How are projects selected under PMKSY?

Answer: Projects under PMKSY are selected based on their potential to increase irrigation coverage, improve water efficiency, and enhance agricultural productivity. Priority is given to areas with lower irrigation coverage and higher water scarcity.

13. What is the role of micro-irrigation in PMKSY?

Answer: Micro-irrigation plays a crucial role in PMKSY by delivering water directly to the plant roots through drip or sprinkler systems, reducing water wastage and ensuring efficient use of available water resources.

14. How does PMKSY contribute to sustainable farming?

Answer: PMKSY promotes sustainable farming by encouraging water conservation, efficient water use, and practices that prevent soil erosion and degradation. This ensures long-term agricultural productivity and environmental protection.

15. What is the impact of PMKSY on agricultural productivity?

Answer: PMKSY has significantly increased agricultural productivity by ensuring reliable water supply, improving irrigation coverage, and promoting efficient water use, leading to higher crop yields.

16. How does PMKSY address the challenges of water scarcity?

Answer: PMKSY addresses water scarcity by promoting rainwater harvesting, groundwater replenishment, and efficient irrigation practices, thereby optimizing the use of available water resources in agriculture.

17. What are the challenges faced by PMKSY?

Answer: Challenges faced by PMKSY include infrastructure gaps in irrigation systems, financial constraints, and the impact of climate change on water resources, which can hinder the scheme’s full potential.

18. How can farmers apply for benefits under PMKSY?

Answer: Farmers can apply for benefits under PMKSY through their respective state agricultural departments. They can also approach local agricultural extension offices or use online portals provided by the government.

19. What is the role of state governments in PMKSY?

Answer: State governments play a vital role in the implementation of PMKSY by identifying and prioritizing projects, providing financial contributions, and ensuring that the scheme’s benefits reach farmers effectively.

20. How can PMKSY contribute to doubling farmers’ income?

Answer: PMKSY can contribute to doubling farmers’ income by increasing agricultural productivity through better water management, reducing input costs through efficient water use, and ensuring reliable irrigation, which together enhance crop yields and profitability.