Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY)

Introduction 

The Indian government's flagship programme, the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY), aims to increase the effectiveness of water use in agriculture. Since its inception in July 2015 under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the programme has been crucial in helping farmers receive financial support for deploying water-saving technology.

We shall examine the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana in further detail in this article, including its goals, characteristics, methods of execution, and effects.

Objectives of PMKSY

The number one goal of PMKSY is to offer quit-to-quit answers inside the irrigation deliver chain with the aid of enforcing diverse water-saving technologies. The scheme makes a speciality of the subsequent objectives:

Expand the insurance of irrigation and enhance water use performance.

Provide an everlasting approach to the drought-prone areas.

Increase the productiveness of plants by enhancing the performance of water usage.

Promote water conservation and sustainability.

Encourage farmers to undertake modern irrigation methods.

Increase the profits of farmers by lowering input costs.

Qualities of PMKSY

PMKSY is a comprehensive plan with many different parts that work together to achieve its goals. Some of the scheme's noteworthy characteristics include:

The AIBP (Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme)

The purpose of AIBP is to give states financial support so they can finish irrigation projects. The programme covers 25% of the project's cost for non-special category states and 90% of the project's cost for special category states.

The Pani Har Khet

By improving water resources, including as surface water, groundwater, and precipitation, the Har Khet Ko Pani component seeks to give irrigation facilities to every land. The program's objectives include fostering water conservation, repairing damaged water supplies, and creating new water sources.

More Crops per Drop

The Per Drop More Crop part of PMKSY promotes micro-irrigation methods including drip and sprinkler irrigation in order to maximise the effectiveness of water use in agriculture. The programme offers financial support to farmers who use these water-saving technology, which can reduce water use by up to 30–40%.

Development of Watersheds

The PMKSY's Watershed Development component aims to encourage rainfall saving and enhance groundwater recharge. The plan calls for the creation of catchment areas, afforestation, and efforts to conserve soil.

PMKSY execution

Several parties are involved in the execution of PMKSY, which includes the federal and state governments, farmers, and private parties. The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, the Department of Agriculture Cooperation and Farmers Welfare, and the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) are a few of the organisations that carry out the programme.

The subsequent actions are required for PMKSY execution:

Determining possible locations for irrigation facility construction.

Creation of cost projections and thorough project documentation.

Funding distribution to the states and other carrying out organisations.

The project's execution by state governments or other implementing organisations.

Project tracking and evaluating

Effects of PMKSY

The agriculture industry in India has been greatly impacted by PMKSY. The programme has improved the efficiency of water use in agriculture and increased the spread of irrigation infrastructure and sophisticated irrigation technology. Some of the scheme's notable effects include:

Use of Contemporary Irrigation Technologies: Farmers are being urged by PMKSY to use drip and sprinkler irrigation, two contemporary irrigation techniques. The programme has given farmers financial support for deploying these technologies, leading to the effective use of water in agriculture. Because crops receive water more precisely and nutrients more effectively thanks to the use of contemporary irrigation methods, crop productivity has also increased and absorbed by roots 

Efficiency Improvements in Water Use: The efficiency of agricultural water usage has increased as a result of PMKSY. The programme supported micro-irrigation methods including drip and sprinkler irrigation, which may reduce water use by up to 30–40%. The programme has further promoted water resource efficiency by highlighting water-saving practises such as rainwater collection and watershed improvement.

Decreased input costs: Farmers now spend less on inputs thanks to PMKSY. The use of contemporary irrigation methods has decreased water consumption, which has decreased the cost of water for irrigation. The programme has also encouraged the effective application of fertilisers, as the use of contemporary irrigation techniques guarantees that nutrients are more effectively absorbed by the roots and thus leads to a decrease in fertiliser use.

Development of Employment Possibilities: The agriculture industry now provides job prospects thanks to PMKSY. The plan has resulted in the creation of new water resources and the rehabilitation of old ones, which has given those working on irrigation project building additional job prospects. In addition, the programme increased crop productivity, which opened more job prospects in the agricultural industry.

Farmers' Livelihoods Will Be Improved: The livelihoods of farmers across the nation have improved because of PMKSY. The plan has increased agricultural output, which has raised farmers' income. Input costs have decreased as a result of the plan, increasing the profitability of agriculture for farmers. The plan has also sparked the creation of new water resources, increasing the amount of water available for agriculture in drought-prone areas and enhancing the livelihoods of local farmers.

The Problems and the Future

Even though PMKSY has significantly impacted India's agriculture industry, there are still certain issues that need to be resolved. Some of the major obstacles include:

Unequal Benefit Distribution: The advantages of PMKSY have not been dispersed uniformly throughout the nation. Some states have profited greatly from the plan, but not others. In states that have not reaped the full benefits of the programme, implementation must be improved.

Implementation difficulties: PMKSY implementation has encountered a number of difficulties, including hold-ups in project clearances and funding distribution. To guarantee that projects are finished on time, the plan has to be implemented more effectively.

Maintaining Water Resources: It is necessary to guarantee the sustainability of the water resources created under PMKSY. To maintain the sustainability of water resources, the programme must encourage water conservation measures and ensure that water resources are used effectively.

Building Capacity is Required: For farmers to successfully utilise contemporary irrigation methods, capacity building is necessary. The programme must raise knowledge of the advantages of contemporary irrigation methods and teach farmers in their use.

Conclusion

PMKSY has been a good sized step in the direction of promoting water conservation and green use of water sources inside the agricultural zone. The program has helped to enhance the water use performance within the zone and has brought about an growth within the productiveness of crops. The government desires to keep its efforts to make sure the sustainability of water sources and to offer good enough irrigation facilities to the farmers.