Lok Sabha Question No. 1285 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-07-27
Subject: Reducing Water Usage in Agriculture
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Feroze Varun Gandhi

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1285

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 27 TH  July, 2021

## REDUCING WATER USAGE IN AGRICULTURE

1285.  SHRI FEROZE VARUN GANDHI : Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ िष एवं कसान कयाण मंी be pleased to state: (a) whether it is crucial for farmers to reduce water usage by ten percent; and (b)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  including  the  incentives  provided  to  farmers  by the Government to achieve this goal?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ िष एवं कसान कयाण मंी (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

(a)  &  (b)  National  Water  Mission  (NWM),  Department  of  Water  Resources, River  Development  and  Ganga  Rejuvenation  (DoWR,  RD  &GR)  has  been working on one of its goals to increase water use efficiency by 20%.  NWM has  launched  the  'Sahi-Fasal'  campaign  to  nudge  farmers  in  the  water stressed areas to grow crops which are not water intensive and economically remunerative suited to the agro-climatic zone of the area. Creating awareness among farmers on appropriate crops, micro-irrigation, soil moisture conservation etc.

The  Department  of  Agriculture  and  Farmers'  Welfare  (DA&FW)  is implementing  'Per  Drop  More  Crop'  component  of  Pradhan  Mantri  Krishi Sinchayee  Yojana  (PMKSY-PDMC)  which  focuses  on  enhancing  water  use efficiency  at  farm  level  through  Micro  Irrigation  viz.  Drip  and  Sprinkler irrigation.    Under  the  scheme,  financial  assistance  is  available  @  55%  for small  and  marginal  farmers  and  @  45%  for  other  farmers  for  installation  of Drip and Sprinkler Irrigation systems. Further, 25% higher unit cost 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.  In  addition,  some States provide additional incentives / top up subsidy for encouraging farmers

to adopt Micro Irrigation. DA&FW is also implementing Crop Diversification Programme (CDP) in Punjab  Haryana  and  Western  Uttar  Pradesh  to  diversify  cropping  pattern away from  water  guzzling  paddy. Water  conservation  techniques  like  Direct Seeded Rice (DSR), System of Rice Intensification (SRI), alternate wetting & drying  method,  laser  land  levelling,  adoption  of  short  duration  varieties,  etc are promoted under the programme. Under the scheme, financial incentives/ assistance and advisories are provided to farmers. Further, DoWR, RD &GR is implementing Command Area Development and Water  Management  (CADWM)  programme  under  the  PMKSY  with  the main  objective  of  enhancing  utilization  of  irrigation  potential  created  and improving  agriculture  productivity  and  production  on  a  sustainable  basis through integrated and coordinated approach involving multidisciplinary team. Under the CADWM Programme, financial assistance is provided to the State Governments  for  Structural  Interventions  as  well  as  for  Non  -  Structural Interventions for creation and capacity building of Water Users' Associations. Central Assistance @ 50% are being provided with a cost norm of Rs. 50,000 covering piped per hectare for development  of micro irrigation infrastructure construction of sump,  installation of water  pump,  and  laying  of conveyance system up to the field head.

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