Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)

Introduction

Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) was launched during the year 2015-16 to enhance physical access of water on farm and expand cultivable area under assured irrigation, improve on-farm water use efficiency, introduce sustainable water conservation practices, etc. PMKSY is an umbrella scheme, consisting of two major components being implemented by Ministry of Jal Shakti, namely, Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP), and Har Khet Ko Pani (HKKP). HKKP, in turn, consists of four sub-components: (i) Command Area Development & Water Management (CAD&WM); (ii) Surface Minor Irrigation (SMI); (iii) Repair, Renovation and Restoration (RRR) of Water Bodies; and (iv) Ground Water (GW) Development (approval only till 2021-2022, and thereafter only for ongoing works). Further, in 2016, CAD&WM sub-component of HKKP was taken up for pari passu implementation with AIBP. In addition, PMKSY also consists of Watershed Development Component (WDC) which is being implemented by Department of Land Resources, Ministry of Rural Development. Further, Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) component being implemented by Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DoA&FW) was also a component of PMKSY during 2015-22, and is now being implemented separately by DoA&FW.

What is Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)?

• The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) was launched in 2015 to help farmers get better access to water for their crops.
• Its main aim is to bring more farmland under reliable irrigation, use water more efficiently, and encourage water-saving methods in agriculture.
• This helps farmers grow better crops with less water waste. PMKSY is a centrally sponsored scheme, which means both the central and state governments share the funding.
• Usually, the Centre pays 75% and the state pays 25%, but for north-eastern and hilly states, the Centre gives 90% while the state only has to pay 10%.
• To improve monitoring and transparency, the Ministry of Jal Shakti introduced a mobile app in 2020. This app helps track and geo-tag different parts of PMKSY projects, making it easier to manage and check progress on the ground.

Objectives of PMKSY

• The key goals of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) are designed to ensure that every drop of water is used wisely to boost farming productivity. First, the scheme aims to bring together all investments in irrigation at the village or block level by preparing water use plans for each district or smaller areas if needed. It focuses on improving physical access to water on farms and increasing the area of land that has dependable irrigation — a vision summed up as “Har Khet Ko Pani” (water to every field).

• PMKSY works to connect water sources, proper distribution, and efficient usage using modern tools and best practices so that water is used smartly. It encourages farmers to improve how they use water on their farms to reduce wastage and ensure more crops get adequate water over longer periods. A major focus is on promoting water-saving methods like precision irrigation and technologies that help grow “More Crop Per Drop.”

• The scheme also supports efforts to recharge underground water (aquifers) and adopt long-term water conservation strategies. In dry and rainfed areas, it follows a watershed-based approach, which includes saving soil and water, improving groundwater levels, preventing water runoff, and offering livelihood options through natural resource management.

• PMKSY also supports training and awareness programs for farmers and grassroots workers on how to collect rainwater, manage water efficiently, and choose crops that suit water availability. Finally, it even explores using treated wastewater from towns and cities for farming near urban areas, making agriculture more sustainable and resource-efficient.

Components of PMKSY

The Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP) was started in 1996 to help speed up the completion of major irrigation projects that states couldn’t finish on their own due to lack of funds. Under the PMKSY-AIBP, 53 such big projects have been completed so far, which has added irrigation facilities to about 25.14 lakh hectares of land — giving farmers better water access and boosting crop production.

The Har Khet Ko Pani (HKKP) part of PMKSY focuses on making sure every farm gets water. It works by creating new water sources through small irrigation systems, repairing and restoring old water bodies, strengthening traditional water systems, and building structures to harvest rainwater. HKKP has several smaller parts under it:

• Command Area Development (CAD) –
  • ensures water reaches every corner of the field.
• Surface Minor Irrigation (SMI) –
  • uses small canals and channels to carry water.
• Repair, Renovation and Restoration (RRR) –
  • fixes old ponds, tanks, and water bodies.
• Ground Water Development –
  • uses underground water more effectively and responsibly.

The Watershed Development component deals with managing rainwater and protecting soil. It includes activities like treating the upper areas of land (ridges), building structures along drainage lines, harvesting rainwater, and keeping moisture in the soil. This is done on a watershed basis, meaning it treats the entire area that drains rainwater to a common point, helping improve agriculture and water conservation in a natural and sustainable way.

Formulation & Implementation of PMKSY

The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) was created by combining three earlier schemes to bring all irrigation efforts under one umbrella for better planning and results. These three schemes were:

1. Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP) –
   • previously run by the Ministry of Water Resources (now Ministry of Jal Shakti), which focused on big irrigation projects.
2. Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) –
   • managed by the Ministry of Rural Development, focusing on rainwater management and soil conservation in dry areas.
3. On-Farm Water Management (OFWM) –
   • run by the Department of Agriculture, which aimed at using water more efficiently directly on the farm.

By merging these schemes, PMKSY aims to provide a more holistic and coordinated approach to irrigation and water management across the country.

For implementation, PMKSY follows a decentralized approach. This means planning and execution are done at the state and district levels. Each state prepares a State Irrigation Plan, and within it, individual District Irrigation Plans are made to address local water needs more effectively. This ensures that solutions are tailored to the specific conditions of each area, making water usage smarter and more efficient.

Conclusion

The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) stands as a landmark initiative aimed at ensuring water security for Indian agriculture through effective planning, efficient use, and sustainable practices. By integrating various irrigation and water management schemes under a single umbrella, PMKSY has created a more coordinated and impactful approach to solving the country’s irrigation challenges. Its focus on “Har Khet Ko Pani” and “More Crop Per Drop” reflects the government’s commitment to boosting agricultural productivity while conserving precious water resources. The decentralized, area-specific implementation through State and District Irrigation Plans ensures grassroots-level participation and locally suitable solutions. As the scheme continues to evolve, it not only empowers farmers with better irrigation facilities but also contributes significantly to climate resilience, food security, and rural livelihoods — making it a key pillar in India’s agricultural transformation journey.