Lok Sabha Question No. 2765 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-18
Subject: Micro-Irrigation Implementation in Andhra Pradesh
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Maddila Gurumoorthy

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2765

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 18 TH  MARCH, 2025

## MICRO-IRRIGATION IMPLEMENTATION IN ANDHRA PRADESH

2765.  SHRI MADDILA GURUMOORTHY:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण मंũी be pleased to state:

- (a) the  current  status  of  micro-irrigation  implementation  with  a  focus  on  its progress in Tirupati district in Andhra Pradesh;
- (b) the details of the financial assistance provided to small and marginal farmers, particularly those from minority communities for adopting micro-irrigation technologies along with the details of the beneficiaries in Tirupati district;
- (c) whether  the  Government's  plans  to  promote  water-efficient  crops  in  waterstressed regions of Andhra Pradesh; and
- (d) the  specific  initiatives  being  taken  to  encourage  sustainable  water  usage  in agriculture, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण राǛ मंũी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)

- (a):     Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) Scheme is under implementation in the country, including State of Andhra Pradesh since 2015-16. Since inception of the Scheme till date,  an  area  of  96.97  lakh  ha    has  been  covered  under  micro  irrigation  which includes 20,819 ha in Tirupati district of Andhra Pradesh.
- (b): Under  PDMC  Scheme,  financial  assistance  is provided to farmers for installation of  micro irrigation systems @ 55% and 45% of the unit cost to small & marginal farmers and other farmers respectively including those of minority community. In addition, Government of Andhra Pradesh provides additional/ top up subsidy to encourage farmers to adopt micro irrigation.

As reported by State government of Andhra Pradesh, since 2015-16 till date, 19,272   farmers have been benefitted  under the Scheme in Tirupati district.

(c): As  reported  by  State  government  of  Andhra  Pradesh,  14,332  ha  of  paddy under bore  wells  and  tobacco  was  diverted  to  pulses,  millets,  maize  and  oilseeds from 2022-23 to 2024-25 under Crop Diversification Program  with financial assistance  of  Rs.138.48  Lakhs.  To  encourage  cultivation  of  less  water  intensive crops, several steps are being taken which include promoting water efficient crops like  millets  and  pulses,  cluster  demonstrations  on  good  agricultural  practices, distribution of certified seeds, production of certified seeds, distribution of inputs for soil  &  plant  protection  management,  establishment  of  millet  processing  units, organization  of workshops, supply of mini  flour mills  and  trainings  on  post  harvest management/ value addition etc. (d):      Indian Council of Agricultural Research is engaged in research and promotion of micro irrigation through all India coordinated programmes, consortia platforms and KVKs.    It  has  developed  optimum  drip  irrigation  schedule  for  different  crops  in different  agro-ecological  regions  of the country.   Further,  drip fertigation schedules for 24 crops have been developed for efficient use of water, thereby, bringing more area under micro irrigation. ICAR also imparts training, organizes field demonstrations  to  educate  farmers,  administrators  and  other  stakeholder  on  all these aspects.

ICAR  has  developed  cost  effective,  location  specific  scientific  technologies viz.,  rainwater  harvesting  and  recycling,  multiple  use  of  water,  conjunctive  use  of rain,  surface  and  groundwater  resources,  smart  and  precision  technologies  for irrigation and farming practices, optimum irrigation scheduling, resource conservation technologies, development  of  land drainage  and reclamation of problem soils to enhance irrigation water efficiency and water productivity. These are being popularized amongst the farming community.

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