Lok Sabha Question No. 389 (STARRED), answered on 2023-03-28
Subject: Scheme for Micro Irrigation
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Arjunlal Meena

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

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 389

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 28 TH   MARCH, 2023

## SCHEME FOR MICRO IRRIGATION

*389.  SHRI ARJUN LAL MEENA:

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

- (a) whether the Government has implemented any scheme for coverage of area under micro irrigation throughout the country to benefit the farmer community;
- (b) if  so,  the  benefits  being  gained  by  the  farmers  from  the  said  scheme  and  the achievements made thereunder so far; and
- (c) the  details  of  the  incentives  given  to  the  farmers  to  promote  the  use  of  micro irrigation by the Government?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी

(SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

(a) to (c):       A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 389 DUE FOR REPLY ON 28 TH  MARCH, 2023.

(a): The Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare is implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme namely Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) from the year 2015-16 for coverage  of  area  under  micro  irrigation  in  the  Country  to  benefit  the  farmer community. During  the year 2015-16 to 2021-22, the PDMC was implemented as a component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana. From the year 2022-23, the PDMC is being implemented under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana.

(b) & (c): The PDMC scheme focuses on enhancing water use efficiency at farm level through Micro Irrigation namely Drip and Sprinkler Irrigation systems. Financial assistance  of    55%  to  Small  &  Marginal  farmers  and  45%  to  Other  farmers  is provided under the scheme  for installation of Micro  Irrigation systems. In addition, some States provide additional incentives/top up subsidy for encouraging farmers to adopt Micro Irrigation.  25% higher unit cost of Micro Irrigation systems have been taken into calculation of subsidy for the North Eastern & Himalayan States/UTs and 15% higher for the States having low penetration of Micro Irrigation.

So far, an area of 76.06 lakh ha have been covered under Micro Irrigation in the  Country  through  PDMC  scheme  with  release  of  Central  Assistance  of  Rs.

17973.07 crore to States.

Micro  Irrigation  helps  in  water  saving  as  well  as  reducing    fertilizer  usage through  fertigation,  labour  expenses,  other  input  costs  and  in  overall  income enhancement of the farmers. The NITI Aayog conducted evaluation study on PDMC scheme in 2020. The major findings of the study are:

-  The  scheme  is  relevant  in  achieving  national  priorities  such  as  substantially improving on-farm water use efficiency, enhancing crop productivity, generating employment opportunities etc.
-  Micro  irrigation  adoption  has  helped  to  save  water  and  water  use  efficiency improved around 30% to 70%.
-  Created direct and indirect employment opportunities.
-  Income of farmers has increased in the range of 10% to 69%.

*****