PMKSY: Irrigation For All Farms

Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) is an ambitious initiative launched by the Indian government with a primary aim to extend irrigation coverage across the country’s agricultural fields. The scheme recognizes that a significant number of farms in India rely on erratic monsoon rains, which leads to agriculture being a gamble of sorts and often results in lower productivity. By ensuring that every farm has access to adequate water for irrigation, PMKSY intends to make farming a more secure and profitable venture.

Overview of PMKSY

The PMKSY is designed as an overarching program that includes various components and subcomponents to address different aspects of irrigation. The scheme is spearheaded by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, which was formerly known as the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation. The two main pillars of this initiative are the Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) and Har Khet Ko Pani (HKKP), each targeting specific challenges in the agricultural sector.

Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP)

The AIBP component of PMKSY focuses on speeding up the execution and completion of ongoing major and medium irrigation projects, including those that have been delayed. This initiative is crucial because it aims to bring into use the irrigation potential that has remained untapped due to stalled projects. By providing central assistance to state governments, AIBP ensures that these projects are completed promptly, thereby increasing the area of land that can be reliably irrigated.

Har Khet Ko Pani (HKKP)

Har Khet Ko Pani translates to ‘water for every field,’ and it is a commitment under PMKSY to ensure that no agricultural land is left without water. HKKP encompasses four subcomponents, each tailored to enhance the distribution and availability of water to farms.

Command Area Development

This subcomponent of HKKP is targeted at improving the utilization of created irrigation potential. It involves planning and executing a comprehensive system of water distribution and management, ensuring that the water reaches the farm level efficiently. The development of command areas focuses on optimizing water usage, reducing wastage, and promoting better water management practices among farmers.

Surface Minor Irrigation

Surface minor irrigation involves the creation and augmentation of small-scale irrigation facilities like ponds, tanks, and check dams. These structures are instrumental in harvesting rainwater and utilizing surface water resources effectively. By enhancing minor irrigation infrastructure, this subcomponent ensures that more areas come under assured irrigation, thus improving crop yields and helping farmers diversify their crops.

Repair, Renovation and Restoration of Water Bodies

Many traditional water bodies and structures have fallen into disrepair over time, losing their capacity to store and supply water for irrigation. Under this subcomponent, the focus is on reviving such water bodies through repair, renovation, and restoration activities. This not only brings back the lost irrigation potential but also helps in maintaining groundwater levels and preserving the ecological balance.

Ground Water Development

Recognizing the importance of groundwater as a source of irrigation, this subcomponent of HKKP emphasizes the sustainable development of groundwater resources. It involves implementing measures to increase groundwater recharge and promote its judicious use. By doing so, the scheme seeks to buffer agricultural lands against the vagaries of the monsoon and to provide farmers with a more reliable source of water throughout the year.

By addressing the critical need for water in agriculture through these components and subcomponents, PMKSY plays a vital role in enhancing agricultural productivity, ensuring food security, and improving the economic conditions of farmers across India. The scheme represents a comprehensive approach to water conservation and management, aiming to create a lasting impact on the country’s agricultural landscape.