Lok Sabha Question No. 2328 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-10
Subject: Per Drop More Crop Scheme
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Kesineni Sivanath

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2328

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 10 th  DECEMBER, 2024

## PER DROP MORE CROP SCHEME

## 2328.  SHRI KESINENI SIVANATH:

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

- (a) whether any target was set under the Micro Irrigation namely Drip and Sprinkler Irrigation System under the Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) scheme;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  any  data  regarding  the  study  conducted  by Centre for Management  in Agriculture, Indian Institute of  Management Ahmedabad on Micro Irrigation coverage for improving water use efficiency;
- (d) if  so,  the  details thereof  including the major recommendations and findings of the study and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (e) the details regarding the proposed target to cover under the PDMC in the State of Andhra Pradesh and progress achieved under the same till date; and
- (f) the  details  regarding  the  training  imparted  to  the  farmer  by  Indian  Council  of Agricultural  Research  (ICAR)  through  Krishi  Vigyan Kendras  (KVKs)  for promotion of Micro Irrigation for various crops?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण राǛमंũी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)

(a)  &  (b):  The  Per  Drop  More  Crop  (PDMC)  scheme  is  a  Centrally  Sponsored Scheme  being  implemented  as  a  component  of  Prime  Minister-Rashtriya  Krishi Vikas Yojna (PM-RKVY).  The Scheme promotes water use efficiency at farm level through Micro Irrigation, namely, Drip and Sprinkler Irrigation Systems. The scheme is implemented by the States/UTs by preparing their Annual Acton Plan (AAP) which includes the area planned by the States/UTs to be covered under Micro Irrigation.

(c)&(d ):  The Centre for Management in Agriculture, Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad conducted  two  studies  on  micro  irrigation  namely  '  The  performance and impact of Micro Irrigation in improving water use efficiency in India's Agriculture: Study  of  the  Pradhan  Mantri  Krishi  Sinchayee  Yojana(PMKSY)-  Per  Drop  More Crop(PDMC)' in 2021  and 'Assessing Skill Gap in Micro Irrigation Across India' in 2023.  Major findings/recommendations of the studies include the following;

(i) PDMC  scheme  promoting  micro  irrigation  shows  overall  good  performance and  impact  on  improving  water  use  efficiency,  water  conservation,  enhancing farmers' income and increasing employment. Beneficiaries find the current mode of implementation  through  State  Government  agencies  and  private  service  providers satisfactory.

(ii) Various factors affect adoption of Micro irrigation such as high initial investment  for  the  farmers,  fragmented  land  holdings,  availability  of  spare  parts, technical issues in operation of MI Systems, non-availability of sufficient number of technicians to address the issue and high operation and maintenance costs etc.

(iii) The Scheme implementation is more streamlined in the States having Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for implementation. Institutional framework such as SPV and dedicated website for implementation may improve the performance. (iv) Farmers' institutions such as sugar cooperatives can be involved to facilitate implementation of the scheme to assist the farmers. (v) Focus should be given to hilly terrains/ States for adoption of Micro Irrigation which is also suited for horticulture crops such as vegetables and fruits. Such region can benefit immensely from micro irrigation. (vi) Priority  may  be  given  for  high  water  using  crops  such  as  sugarcane  and banana. Much greater water saving is obtained from micro irrigation in such crops. (vii) In  view of profitability of Micro irrigation, the technology should be promoted not just as  a  water-saving technology  but as a substantial  yield,  profit and  income boosting technology. (e):      PDMC  Scheme  is  implemented  in  the  State  of  Andhra  Pradesh  as  per  the Annual  Action  Plan  prepared  by  the  State.  The  total  areas  covered  under  micro irrigation  under  PDMC  for  the  State  of  Andhra  Pradesh  from  the  inception  of  the scheme (2015-16) till  2023-24  is  9.30  lakh  ha.  During  the  current  year  (2024-25), the State of Andhra Pradesh has indicated 1.24 lakh ha to be covered under Micro

Irrigation in the State Annual Action Plan.

(f): The Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) organize training programmes for farmers on  use  of  micro  irrigation  systems  for  field/horticultural  crops.  Besides,  KVKs  also organize training programmes for farmers on installation and maintenance of micro irrigation  systems. During 2023-24, 816 such training programmes were organized by KVKs for farmers.

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