Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana

Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY)

Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana—launched on 1st July 2015—is India's leading initiative to boost irrigation coverage, water use efficiency, and rural prosperity. The central motto is “Har Khet Ko Pani” (every field gets water), aiming to increase the cultivated area with assured irrigation and minimize wastage through advanced techniques like micro irrigation and rainwater harvesting.

Objective of PMKSY

• To make sure every farmer’s field gets water, especially in dry and rainfed zones.

• To boost productivity by improving water use with “Per Drop More Crop” technologies.

• To promote water conservation, groundwater recharge and watershed development, securing long-term farming benefits.

• To unify scattered investments at local field levels for maximum impact.

Key Features and Components of PMKSY

Har Khet Ko Pani

This component targets expanding irrigation coverage to more farms, prioritizing water-scarce and drought-prone areas. It works by augmenting sources (canals, wells, ponds) and linking water-abundant regions to needy zones through lift-irrigation and other techniques.

Per Drop More Crop

Micro-irrigation systems such as drip irrigation and sprinkler irrigation are subsidized to ensure each drop of water is used efficiently. Subsidies and financial support help farmers install these systems for better water productivity.

Watershed Development

PMKSY incorporates watershed management to conserve soil, arrest runoff, and enhance rainwater harvesting. This is key in hilly, semi-arid and rainfed areas, keeping farming sustainable even in tough conditions.

Convergence with Other Schemes

PMKSY merges ongoing schemes such as AIBP (Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme), IWMP (Integrated Watershed Management Programme), and works in partnership with MGNREGA for infrastructure and water-related solutions.

Eligibility for Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana

• All farmers with land holdings can apply for PMKSY benefits—small, marginal, medium or large farmers.

• Farmer groups, producer organizations, societies or trusts also eligible through collective application.

• Farmers must own agricultural land; leased land eligibility vary as per state rules.

• Must not have used similar central irrigation subsidy before (cross-verification required professionally).

Documentation Needed

• Aadhaar Card or government ID proof

• Proof of land ownership (record of rights, land registry, etc.)

• Application form from local agriculture office or online portal

How to Apply For PMKSY

Offline and Online Method

• Farmers can visit nearest agriculture offices or Common Service Centres (CSC) to apply.

• Registration often possible through state agriculture department websites or official portal pmksy.nic.in.

• Provide required documents and fill form with technical details of land and existing irrigation.

Benefits of PMKSY for Farmers

Direct Benefits

• Farmers gets financial support for irrigation infrastructure—pipes, pumps, micro-irrigation setup, water storage, wells, and rainwater harvesting.

• Crop yields increases while costs of water and fertilizers goes down, since precise irrigation means less waste.

• Soil moisture and quality improves, which leads better farm income and sustainability.

Indirect/Long-term Benefits

• Groundwater levels stabilizes because of recharge activities and less exploitation.

• Watershed management brings recognition and new livelihood through allied rural activities.

• Less production losses in drought or erratic monsoon years, making farmer life more secure.

Monitoring and Implementation Structure

Committees and Structure

• National Steering Committee (NSC): Chaired by Prime Minister, includes ministers from related departments.

• National Executive Committee (NEC): Led by NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman, focused on program implementation, allocation, and review.

• State Level Sanctioning Committee (SLSC): Headed by Chief Secretary, responsible for local project approval, implementation and monitoring.

District and State Irrigation Plans

States prepares District Irrigation Plans (DIP) and State Irrigation Plans (SIP) for area-specific, holistic irrigation development. Projects are geotagged for transparency.

Recent Developments and Additional Initiatives

• Soil Health Card distribution for every farmer to promote optimal fertilization and soil management.

• Launch of Pramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana for organic farming alongside PMKSY.

• Relaxed compensation norms for crop loss due to natural calamities, boosting assistance reach.

Challenges and Suggestions

PMKSY is powerful but faces few challenges like delayed fund release, lack of awareness among small farmers, paperwork issues, and regional implementation gaps. For full success, more extension services and simple grievance redressal is needed. Sometimes field officials don’t help enough, which makes farmers frustrated, isn’t it? Water is critical; the government must ensure the last field gets it.

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