The Ministry of Jal Shakti has recently launched a mobile application designed for geo-tagging components of projects under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY). This application has been developed with the assistance of the Bhaskaracharya National Institute of Space Applications & Geo-informatics (BISAG-N).
Developed by BISAG-N
BISAG-N is an autonomous scientific society registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, and falls under the auspices of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. It has lent its expertise to the development of this innovative mobile application, which will serve a crucial function in tracking project progress.
Purpose of the Mobile Application
The main objective of this mobile application is to monitor the pace and actual status of projects. The application enables users to capture images of project components along with pertinent details such as location, type of canal/structure, completion status, etc. All captured information can be submitted for geo-tagging on the GIS portal developed specifically for this purpose.
What is Geo-tagging?
Geo-tagging involves adding geographical identification data to various media. This might include latitude and longitude coordinates, altitude, bearing, distance, accuracy data, and place names, along with a time stamp. A geographic information system, or GIS, is a framework used for collecting, managing, and analyzing geography-related data.
Operation of the Mobile Application
The application can operate both online and offline, depending on the network availability in the region.
About Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)
Launched in 2015, PMKSY is a centrally sponsored scheme focusing on expanding cultivated areas with assured irrigation, reducing water wastage, and improving water use efficiency. Its motto is “Har Khet Ko Paani”.
Objectives of PMKSY
The scheme aims to expand irrigation coverage, harness rainwater at a micro-level, promote protective irrigation, enhance the recharge of aquifers, introduce sustainable water conservation practices, and attract private investment in precision irrigation systems.
The Formulation and Implementation of PMKSY
The scheme was formulated by combining Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP), Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP), and On-Farm Water Management (OFWM). Its implementation is decentralized, executed via State Irrigation Plans and District Irrigation Plans.
Aquifers and Peri-Urban Agriculture
An aquifer is a porous rock or sediment saturated with groundwater. Groundwater enters an aquifer as precipitation seeps through the soil and can move through the aquifer, resurfacing through springs and wells. Peri-urban agriculture refers to farming units close to towns that operate intensive semi- or fully commercial farms.
Precision Irrigation
This innovative technique efficiently utilizes water and helps farmers achieve higher levels of crop yield using minimum water resources.