Lok Sabha Question No. 3289 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-01-01
Subject: Drip Irrigation
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: V. SATHYABAMA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATION AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3289

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 1 ST   JANUARY, 2019

## DRIP IRRIGATION

3289.  SHRIMATI V. SATHYA BAMA:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी be pleased to state:

- (a) the  funds  allocated  to  develop  Drip  Irrigation  and  controlled  water  management  in  the country; and
- (b) the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  promote,  propagate  and  execute  Drip  Irrigation System in the country to help the farmers combat water scarcity crisis?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंालय म राय मंी (SHRI PARSHOTTAM RUPALA)

- (a): Ministry  of  Agriculture  and  Farmers  Welfare  is  implementing  'Per  Drop  More  Crop (PDMC)' component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) from the year 2015-16 which focuses on water use efficiency at farm level through Precision/Micro Irrigation technologies viz. Drip and Sprinkler Irrigation systems. Besides promoting precision irrigation and better on-farm water management practices to optimize the use of available water resources, this component also supports micro level water storage or water conservation/management activities to supplement source creation. Under PMKSY-PDMC, Central Assistance of Rs. 6367.46 crore has  been  released  to  States  during  2015-16  to  2017-18  for  implementation  of  the  scheme activities. During the current year, Central Assistance of Rs. 2240.35 crore has been released to States so far under the scheme.
- (b): Financial  assistance  @  55%  for  small  and  marginal  farmers  and  @  45%  for  other farmers is provided for installation of Drip and Sprinkler systems under the PMKSY-PDMC. In addition,  some  States  provide  additional  incentives  for  encouraging  farmers  to  adopt  Micro Irrigation.

Further,  25% higher amounts have been taken into calculation of subsidy for the North Eastern and Himalayan states and 15% higher for States with low penetration of Micro Irrigation for larger adoption of systems by the farmers under the scheme.

Government  has  also  approved  a  dedicated  Micro  Irrigation  Fund  (MIF)  with  National Bank For Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) with an initial corpus of Rs. 5000 crore (Rs. 2000 crore for 2018-19 and Rs. 3000 crore for 2019-20). The main objective of the MIF is to facilitate States in mobilizing resources for expanding coverage of Micro Irrigation.

Besides  providing  assistance  to  farmers  for  installation  of  MI  systems,  encouraging farmers  to take advantage  of  the  scheme  through  press  &  print  media,  publication of leaflets/booklets, organization of workshops, exhibitions, farmer fairs, information on State/Government of India web  portals etc.

In addition, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) imparts training and organizes field demonstrations through Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVK) to educate farmers for promotion of drip irrigation.

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