Lok Sabha Question No. 408 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-07-20
Subject: Groundwater Irrigation in Agriculture
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Chandra Sekhar Sahu, Bidyut Baran Mahato, Shrirang Appa Barne, Sudheer Gupta, Poonam (Mahajan) Vajendla Rao, Sanjay Sadashivrao Mandlik

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.408

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 20 TH July, 2021

## GROUNDWATER IRRIGATION IN AGRICULTURE

408.    SHRI CHANDRA SEKHAR SAHU:

SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO:

SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE:

SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:

SHRIMATI POONAM MAHAJAN:

SHRI SANJAY SADASHIVRAO MANDLIK:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  farmersare    facing    difficulties in groundwater-based    irrigationdue    to    the    ban    imposed    on    it    and    if    so,    the detailsthereof;

(b)  whether  the  production  of  crops  has  beenaffected due to imposition of ban on groundwater-basedirrigation and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government is considering measuressuch  as  encouraging  alternative crops  and  adoptingmicro-irrigation to deal with the said problems and if so,the details thereof; and

(d) whether the Government proposes to provide allpossible assistance to the farmers in this situation andif so, the details thereof; and

- (e)    the    details    of    schemes    that    are    available    toprovide  irrigation  in  rain-fed agricultural areas?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ िषएवंकसानकयाणमंी

(SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

- (a) & (b): As per the Guidelines for 'Control and regulation of groundwater extraction'  notified  by  the  Ministry  of  Jal  Shakti  on  24  September  2020,  Agriculture sector has been exempted from obtaining No Objection Certificate (NOC) for ground water extraction.
- (c) & (d): For  promoting  alternative  crops,  rainfed  area  development  and  microirrigation systems in the country, Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare  (DAC&FW)  is  implementing  various  programmes  such  as  Pradhan  Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana- Per Drop More Crop which focuses on enhancing water use efficiency at farm level through Micro Irrigation viz. Drip and Sprinkler Irrigation System; Rainfed  Area  Development  Programme  to  promote  Integrated  Farming  System  for enhancing productivity and minimizing risks associated with climatic variability;National Food  Security  Mission  for  Cultivation  of  pulses  and  coarse  cereals  and  oilseedsas these  crops  require  less  water;Crop  Diversification  Programme  (CDP)  to  diversify cropping pattern away from water guzzling paddy;Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH)  for holistic growth of horticulture sector covering fruits, vegetables, root and tuber crops, mushrooms, spices, etc.

Under  these  schemes,  the  financial  assistance  and  advisories  are  provided  to farmers  for  adopting  the  best  practices  for  efficient  water  management  and  agroecologically suitable crops.

Besides, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) through their Institutes and State Agricultural Universities (SAUs)are addressing issues related to judicious use of water ensuring higher water and crop productivity in the country.

- (e) Government is implementing Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana(PMKSY) with the  objective  to  enhance  physical  access  of  water  and  expand  cultivable  area  under assured  irrigation,  improve  on-farm  water  use  efficiency,  introduce  sustainable  water conservation practices, etc. The components of PMKSY are:
- i. Accelerated  Irrigation  Benefit  Programme:  To  focus  on  faster  completion  of ongoing  Major  and  Medium  Irrigation  projects  including  National  Projects.    Being implemented  by  Department  of  Water  Resources,  River  Development  &  Ganga Rejuvenation (DoWR,RD&GR)
- ii. PMKSY  -HarKhetKoPani: Source augmentation, distribution, ground water development, lift irrigation, diversion of water from water plenty to water scarce areas, repair,  restoration,  renovation  of  traditional  water  bodies.    Being  implemented  by DoWR,RD&GR.
- iii. PMKSY-  Per  Drop  More  Crop:  Focuses  on  enhancing  water  use  efficiency  at farm  level  through  Micro  Irrigation  viz.  Drip  and  Sprinkler  Irrigation  Systembeing implemented by DAC&FW.
- iv. PMKSY- Watershed Development Component: Ridge area treatment, drainage line  treatment,  soil  and  moisture  conservation,  water  harvesting  structure,  livelihood support  activities  and  other  watershed  works.  Being  implemented  by  Department  of Land Resources.

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