The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) was launched on July 1, 2015, with the motto “Har Khet Ko Pani” (Water for every farm). It was formulated by amalgamating ongoing schemes: Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP), Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP), and the On Farm Water Management (OFWM) component of the National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA). The scheme operates under a multi-ministerial framework involving the Ministries of Jal Shakti, Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, and Rural Development.
Core Objectives of the Scheme
- Expansion of Coverage: To achieve convergence of investments in irrigation at the field level and expand the cultivable area under assured irrigation.
- Water Use Efficiency: To enhance the adoption of precision-irrigation and other water-saving technologies (More Crop Per Drop).
- Source Creation: To enhance the recharge of aquifers and introduce sustainable water conservation practices by exploring feasible reuse of treated municipal wastewater.
- Integrated Planning: To attract greater private investment in precision irrigation systems.
Key Components of PMKSY
The scheme is structured into four distinct components, each handled by specific departments to ensure a 360-degree approach to water management.
1. Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP)
Implemented by the Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation (Ministry of Jal Shakti), it focuses on the financial support for the completion of ongoing major and medium irrigation projects.
- National Projects: Strategic projects of national importance receive 90% central funding.
- Priority Projects: Under PMKSY, 99 priority ongoing projects were identified for completion in phases.
2. PMKSY-Har Khet Ko Pani (HKKP)
This component focuses on creating new water sources and reviving traditional ones.
- Command Area Development (CAD): Strengthening the distribution network from the canal to the farm gate.
- Surface Minor Irrigation (SMI): Small-scale surface water projects for tribal and drought-prone areas.
- Repair, Renovation and Restoration (RRR): Reviving traditional water bodies like tanks and baolis.
- Ground Water Development: Targeted development in areas where groundwater is available but underutilized (specifically in Eastern India).
3. PMKSY-Per Drop More Crop (PDMC)
Implemented by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, this is the “efficiency” arm of the scheme.
- Micro-Irrigation Focus: Massive promotion of Drip and Sprinkler irrigation systems.
- Supportive Interventions: Construction of micro-irrigation structures like tube wells and dug wells, but only if they are integrated with micro-irrigation systems.
4. PMKSY-Watershed Development
Implemented by the Department of Land Resources (Ministry of Rural Development), it follows a “Ridge-to-Valley” approach.
- Soil Conservation: Effective management of runoff water and improved soil & moisture conservation.
- Rainfed Areas: Primarily focuses on areas not covered by canal or groundwater irrigation to prevent land degradation.
Statistical Overview of Irrigation Efficiency
| Feature | Conventional Flood Irrigation | PMKSY (Micro-Irrigation) |
| Water Use Efficiency | 30% to 40% | 80% to 95% |
| Fertilizer Use Efficiency | 30% to 50% | 80% to 90% (via Fertigation) |
| Energy Consumption | High (Longer pumping hours) | Low (Pressure-based) |
| Crop Yield Increase | Baseline | 20% to 40% Increase |
Institutional Governance and Funding Pattern
- National Steering Committee (NSC): Chaired by the Prime Minister, it provides policy direction and program oversight.
- National Executive Committee (NEC): Chaired by the Vice-Chairman of NITI Aayog, it oversees the implementation and inter-ministerial coordination.
- State Level Sanctioning Committee (SLSC): Chaired by the Chief Secretary of the State, it has the authority to sanction specific projects and monitor progress.
- Funding Ratio: For general states, the ratio is 60:40 (Centre:State). For North Eastern and Himalayan states, it is 90:10. For Union Territories, it is 100% central funding.
PMKSY 2.0 (2021-2026) Extension
The Union Cabinet approved the extension of PMKSY for the period 2021-26 with an outlay of ₹93,068 crore.
- Inclusion of New Projects: Introduction of the Renukaji Dam Project (Himachal Pradesh) and Lakhwar Multipurpose Project (Uttarakhand).
- Digital Monitoring: Mandatory use of Geo-tagging and satellite imagery for monitoring the progress of AIBP and Watershed components.
- Groundwater Focus: Shift toward sustainable extraction in the 6th MI (Minor Irrigation) Census-identified stressed blocks.
Significant Facts for UPSC Prelims
- Micro Irrigation Fund (MIF): A corpus of ₹5,000 crore created with NABARD to provide subsidized loans to states for promoting micro-irrigation.
- Highest Coverage: Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat are the leading states in terms of area covered under micro-irrigation under the PDMC component.
- Bhuvan-PDMC: A mobile app and web portal used for real-time monitoring and geo-tagging of assets created under the PDMC component.
- NRAA: The National Rainfed Area Authority provides technical inputs to the Watershed component of PMKSY.
- Convergence: PMKSY converges with MGNREGA for labor-intensive water harvesting structures and PM-KUSUM for solar-powered pump integration.