The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) is a priority scheme of the Agriculture Department launched in 2015 with the motto “Har Khet Ko Paani.” Its primary objective is to expand cultivated areas with assured irrigation, reduce water wastage, and improve water use efficiency. This essay aims to provide an overview of PMKSY, its key components, and its broad objectives in promoting sustainable agriculture and water security.

Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana(PMKSY): What You Should Know
Courtesy:Insights IAS
Key Components of PMKSY:
  1. Water Resource Management: The scheme emphasizes source augmentation, distribution, groundwater development, lift irrigation, and the diversion of water from water-abundant to water-scarce areas. It also includes the repair, restoration, and renovation of traditional water bodies. Additionally, PMKSY encourages rainwater harvesting at the micro level through “Jal Sanchay” and “Jal Sinchan” to create protective irrigation.
  2. Per Drop More Crop (Micro Irrigation): PMKSY incentivizes micro irrigation systems such as drip and sprinkler irrigation. It promotes the installation of these systems in fields, along with extension activities, coordination, and management. Micro irrigation helps farmers achieve higher crop yields by providing water directly to the roots, reducing water consumption, and ensuring efficient water use.
  3. Watershed Development: PMKSY focuses on ridge area treatment, drainage line treatment, soil and moisture conservation, water harvesting structures, and livelihood support activities in watershed areas. These initiatives help in the sustainable management of water resources, ground water recharge, and soil and water conservation.
Monitoring and Implementation:

PMKSY is supervised and monitored by an Inter-Ministerial National Steering Committee (NSC) under the Chairmanship of the Prime Minister. A National Executive Committee (NEC) under the Chairmanship of the Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog oversees program implementation, resource allocation, inter-ministerial coordination, monitoring, and performance assessment.

Broad Objectives of PMKSY:
  1. Convergence of Investments: PMKSY aims to achieve convergence of investments in irrigation at the field level by preparing water use plans at the district and sub-district levels. This ensures the optimal utilization of available resources and maximizes the benefits of irrigation schemes.
  2. Assured Irrigation: The scheme strives to enhance physical access to water on the farm and expand cultivable areas under assured irrigation. It aims to provide water security to farmers, enabling them to plan their cropping patterns effectively.
  3. Water Use Efficiency: PMKSY focuses on integrating water sources, distribution, and efficient water use through appropriate technologies and practices. By improving on-farm water use efficiency, the scheme aims to reduce wastage and increase the availability of water both in terms of duration and extent.
  4. Adoption of Water-saving Technologies: The promotion of precision irrigation and other water-saving technologies is an important objective of PMKSY. By encouraging the adoption of these technologies, the scheme aims to achieve more crop per drop, ensuring optimal utilization of water resources.
  5. Sustainable Water Management: PMKSY aims to enhance aquifer recharge and introduce sustainable water conservation practices. It emphasizes the integrated development of rainfed areas using a watershed approach, which includes soil and water conservation measures and regeneration of groundwater.
  6. Extension Activities and Awareness: The scheme promotes extension activities related to water harvesting, water management, and crop alignment for farmers and field functionaries. It aims to disseminate knowledge about efficient water use and sustainable agricultural practices.

Important Points:

  • Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) aims to ensure water security and sustainable agriculture. πŸ’§πŸŒΎ
  • Key components include water resource management, micro irrigation, and watershed development. πŸŒŠπŸ’¦πŸŒ³
  • PMKSY promotes source augmentation, groundwater development, and rainwater harvesting. β˜”οΈ
  • Micro irrigation systems such as drip and sprinkler irrigation are incentivized. πŸšΏπŸ’¦
  • Watershed development focuses on soil and moisture conservation and livelihood support activities. 🏞️🌾
  • PMKSY is monitored by the National Steering Committee and National Executive Committee. πŸ“‹
  • Broad objectives include convergence of investments, assured irrigation, and efficient water use. πŸŒπŸ’¦
  • The scheme aims to increase water use efficiency and adopt water-saving technologies. πŸŒ±πŸ’§
  • Sustainable water management, aquifer recharge, and watershed development are key goals. πŸ”„πŸŒ³
  • Extension activities and awareness campaigns promote water management and sustainable practices. πŸ“’πŸ’§
  • Reusing treated municipal wastewater for peri-urban agriculture is explored. β™»οΈπŸ™οΈ
Why In News

Emphasizing the significance of the “per drop more crop – micro irrigation” initiative, the Agriculture Department deems it a top-priority scheme. Consequently, the Union government has formally requested the Jharkhand government to provide a comprehensive report outlining their plans for implementing this crucial program. Recognizing its potential impact on agricultural efficiency and water conservation, the government seeks to ensure effective execution of this scheme in Jharkhand.

MCQs about Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana

  1. What is the primary objective of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)?
    A. Enhancing physical access to water on the farm
    B. Reducing water wastage and improving water use efficiency
    C. Encouraging the adoption of precision irrigation technologies
    D. Promoting watershed development activities
    Correct Answer: B. Reducing water wastage and improving water use efficiency
    Explanation: PMKSY aims to expand cultivated areas with assured irrigation, reduce water wastage, and improve water use efficiency.
  2. Which component of PMKSY incentivizes the installation of drip and sprinkler irrigation systems?
    A. Watershed development
    B. Water resource management
    C. Micro irrigation
    D. Monitoring and implementation
    Correct Answer: C. Micro irrigation
    Explanation: PMKSY incentivizes micro irrigation systems like drip and sprinkler irrigation to ensure “Per drop-More crop”.
  3. What is the purpose of integrating water sources, distribution, and efficient water use under PMKSY?
    A. Enhancing aquifer recharge
    B. Reducing water wastage
    C. Expanding cultivable areas
    D. Improving on-farm water use efficiency
    Correct Answer: D. Improving on-farm water use efficiency
    Explanation: PMKSY aims to improve on-farm water use efficiency by integrating water sources, distribution, and efficient water use through appropriate technologies and practices.
  4. Which objective of PMKSY focuses on the integrated development of rainfed areas?
    A. Assured irrigation
    B. Convergence of investments
    C. Sustainable water management
    D. Extension activities and awareness
    Correct Answer: C. Sustainable water management
    Explanation: PMKSY aims to enhance the integrated development of rainfed areas using a watershed approach towards soil and water conservation, regeneration of groundwater, and providing livelihood options.

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