Lok Sabha Question No. 3281 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-21
Subject: Per Drop More Crop
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Amol Ramsing Kolhe, Arjunlal Meena

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3281

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 21 st  MARCH, 2023

## PER DROP MORE CROP

3281.  DR. AMOL RAMSING KOLHE: SHRI ARJUN LAL MEENA:

Will  the  Minister  of  AGRICULTURE  AND  FARMERS  WELFARE क ृ षि एवं षकसान कल्याण मंत्री be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  implementing  Per  Drop  More  Crop  (PDMC) scheme and if so, the purpose of launching the scheme;
- (b) whether the Government has conducted any study on the impact of PDMC on farmers in the country including Maharashtra and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the funds allocated by the Government during the last three years under the PDMC scheme;
- (d) whether micro irrigation system helps in increasing efficiency in water usage, production and productivity and agriculture income under PDMC scheme;
- (e) the major conclusion of the evaluation study of PDMC done by the NITI Aayog along with the details thereof; and
- (f) the other steps taken by the  Government  to  promote  micro  irrigation schemes?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

क ृ षि एवं षकसान कल्याण मंत्री (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

(a),  (c)  &  (d)  :  The  Department  of  Agriculture  &  Farmers  Welfare  is  implementing Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) scheme from the year 2015-16 in the Country which focuses  on  enhancing  water  use  efficiency  at  farm  level  through  Micro  Irrigation namely Drip and Sprinkler Irrigation systems. Micro Irrigation helps in water saving as well as reduced fertilizer usage through fertigation, labour expenses, other input costs and overall income enhancement of farmers etc.

During the last three years, Central Assistance of Rs. 7058.33 crore has been released to the States under the scheme.

- (b) & (e) : The NITI Aayog conducted evaluation study on PDMC scheme in 2020 in various States including Maharashtra. 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.
-  Water use efficiency has improved around 30% to 70%.
-  Created direct and indirect employment opportunities.
-  Income of farmers has increased in the range of 10% to 69%.

(f) :  To facilitate the States in mobilising resources for expanding coverage of micro irrigation,  a Micro Irrigation Fund (MIF) with corpus of Rs. 5000 crore was created with National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) during  201819. States can avail loan from MIF for taking up special and innovative projects for expanding  coverage  of  Micro  Irrigation  and  also  for  incentivising  micro  irrigation beyond  the  provisions  available  under  PDMC  scheme  to  encourage  farmers. Government of India provides interest subvention on the loan availed by the States under MIF through PDMC scheme.

Farmers are encouraged to take advantage of micro irrigation technologies by creating  awareness  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)  is  conducting  research  through  coordinated  trials  to  develop irrigation schedules for different crops in different agro-climatic conditions under drip irrigation.  ICAR also demonstrates the beneficial effect of drip irrigation through field demonstration, training and public campaigns.

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