Lok Sabha Question No. 4837 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-01
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. 4837

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 1 ST  APRIL, 2025

## MICRO-IRRIGATION IMPLEMENTATION IN ANDHRA PRADESH

4837.  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  in  Andhra  Pradesh,  with  a focus on its progress in Tirupati district;
- (b) 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 proposes to promote water-efficient crops in water-stressed regions of Andhra Pradesh; and
- (d)  if  so,  the  specific  initiatives  being  taken  in  Tirupati  to  encourage  sustainable  water usage in agriculture?

## 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.   Dry land horticulture crops are also being promoted in water stressed regions of the State.

(d) :   As reported by State government of Andhra Pradesh, to promote sustainable water usage in agriculture, innovative techniques   like drip irrigation, rain water harvesting, soil moisture  monitoring  and  encouraging  drought  resistant  crops  are  being  implemented  in Tirupati  district  which  help  in  reducing    wastage  of  water  and  enhancing    water  use efficiency.

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