Minor Irrigation (MI) projects are defined as those having a Culturable Command Area (CCA) of up to 2,000 hectares. Unlike major projects that rely on large dams and extensive canal networks, minor irrigation is characterized by smaller-scale, localized water sourcing. It is the most significant component of Indian irrigation, accounting for approximately 75% of the total irrigated area in the country.
Classification of Minor Irrigation Schemes
Minor irrigation is broadly classified into two categories based on the source of water:
Ground Water Schemes
These schemes involve lifting water from underground aquifers. They are private-sector driven and provide farmers with greater control over the timing of irrigation.
- Dug Wells: Open wells used primarily in areas with high water tables.
- Shallow Tubewells: Drilled to a depth of about 60–70 meters; usually owned by individual farmers.
- Deep Tubewells: Drilled to depths exceeding 70 meters; often managed by government or community cooperatives.
Surface Water Schemes
These schemes utilize water from rivers, streams, and rainwater harvesting structures.
- Surface Lift Irrigation: Pumping water directly from rivers or permanent water bodies to fields at higher elevations.
- Surface Flow Schemes (Tanks/Check Dams): Utilizing gravity to direct stored rainwater or diverted stream water to fields.
- Diversion Schemes: Small weirs or “Anicuts” built across streams to divert water into small channels (kuhls).
Comparison of Irrigation Categories
The following table distinguishes Minor Irrigation from larger counterparts based on Planning Commission (NITI Aayog) criteria.
| Category | Culturable Command Area (CCA) | Primary Source |
| Major Irrigation | More than 10,000 Hectares | Large Dams and Canals |
| Medium Irrigation | 2,000 to 10,000 Hectares | Medium Canals |
| Minor Irrigation | Up to 2,000 Hectares | Tubewells, Wells, Tanks |
The 6th Census of Minor Irrigation (Key Findings)
The Ministry of Jal Shakti periodically conducts the MI Census to track the development of small-scale irrigation.
- Total Schemes: India has approximately 23.14 million MI schemes.
- Dominance of Ground Water: Nearly 94.8% of all MI schemes are groundwater-based, while 5.2% are surface water-based.
- Leading States: Uttar Pradesh possesses the largest number of MI schemes in India, followed by Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.
- Ownership Pattern: About 96.6% of MI schemes are under private ownership (individual farmers or groups), highlighting the decentralized nature of this sector.
Strategic Importance of Minor Irrigation
- High Water Use Efficiency: Unlike canal irrigation which suffers from heavy seepage and evaporation, MI schemes (especially tubewells) have lower transit losses.
- Short Gestation Period: These projects can be executed in a few weeks or months, compared to decades for major dam projects.
- Labor Intensive: Construction and maintenance of MI structures generate significant rural employment.
- Suitability for Small Farmers: Small and marginal farmers find MI more affordable and manageable compared to large-scale irrigation systems.
Challenges and Constraints
- Groundwater Depletion: Over-extraction in states like Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan has led to a critical decline in water tables.
- Energy Costs: Dependency on electric or diesel pumps makes farmers vulnerable to fluctuating fuel prices and power shortages.
- Fragmentation of Land: Small landholdings make the installation of individual tubewells economically unviable for many.
- Siltation in Tanks: Surface water schemes, particularly in South India, suffer from reduced capacity due to the lack of desilting.
Government Initiatives and Micro-Irrigation Focus
The government promotes “Micro-Irrigation” (Drip and Sprinkler) as a subset of minor irrigation to maximize efficiency.
- Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY): The “Per Drop More Crop” (PDMC) component focuses specifically on improving water use efficiency at the farm level through micro-irrigation.
- PM-KUSUM: Provides subsidies to farmers for installing solar-powered irrigation pumps, reducing dependence on the grid and diesel.
- Mission Amrit Sarovar: Aims to develop and rejuvenate 75 water bodies (tanks) in every district to boost surface minor irrigation.
- Atal Bhujal Yojana: A community-led groundwater management scheme focused on water-stressed blocks in seven Indian states.
Factful Trivia for Prelims
- Drip Irrigation Leader: Maharashtra leads India in the area covered under drip irrigation.
- Sprinkler Irrigation Leader: Rajasthan leads India in the area covered under sprinkler irrigation.
- Kuhls: Traditional surface minor irrigation systems found in the hilly terrains of Himachal Pradesh.
- Jhalara and Bawari: Traditional step-wells in Rajasthan used as minor irrigation and drinking water sources.
- Free Electricity Impact: States providing free power for agriculture (like Punjab) show the highest density of deep tubewells but also the most severe groundwater “Over-exploited” blocks.