Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojna

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Pradhan Mantri Krishi
Sinchayee Yojna

Watershed development approach has evolved with passage of time gradually from initial objectives of soil & water conservation and reducing siltation of river valley projectsto the current integrated approach of managing the biological, physical, and social elements in a landscape within a watershed's boundaries. By virtue of Participatory Watershed Development Program (PWDP) adopted in 1994 and various amendments effected in the Guidelines from time to time, securing livelihoods has also emerged as an important dimension, apart from developing rainfed and degraded lands in the country. As a consequence, watershed development approach has been accepted as a model for major public investments targeting sustainable production systems for natural resources management and livelihood options. Climate change issues and its impacts witnessed in the recent past have adversely impacted ecology in general and agricultural production systems in particular, posing grave challenges to sustainable livelihoods, especially for vast majority of people in India who are directly or indirectly dependent on agriculture

The intensive system of agriculture practiced over last five decades has secured country‟s food security. However, the natural resources and especially soil health has been severely compromised as evident from the steep decline in the average Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) content. As per the Desertification and Land Degradation Atlas of India, 2021, estimated land degradation in India is 97.85 million hectare (Mha) i.e. 29.77% Total Geographical Area (TGA). Water, another critical element of production system is under tremendous stress. The same can be witnessed from the decreasing per capita availability in the country. The groundwater, which is used for almost 60 % of the nation‟s irrigated areas, has gone down in several parts of the countryleading to their declaration as Dark Zones.

Rainfed agriculture assumes critical importance from the broader perspective of economy, ecology and equity. Rainfed regions need to target higher productivity, enhanced livelihood & income to farmers, and enriched ecology which in turn will bolster nation‟s food and nutritional security.

The country‟s rainfed agriculture is important as it accounts for 51% of net sown area1 and 40 % of the total food production2 [44% of rice, 87% of major nutri-cereals (sorghum, pearl millet & finger millet) and maize, 90% of all minor millets, 85% of food legumes, 72% of oilseeds and 65% of cotton]. It is also home to substantive tracts of dry land horticulture, spices and medicinal plants. Unfortunately, such land masses are, in comparison to irrigated areas, poorly endowed with natural resources and even less supported scientifically till date.Therefore, the comparative yields of both these area are starkly varied. For example, the average yield in irrigated areas is about 3 tons/ha, whereas it is merely 1.1 tons/ha in the rainfed regions. The Nation thus needs immediate attention on its vast rainfed production systems for assured prosperity and welfare of itsmuch-needy inhabitants.

Objectives of Watershed Development Projects

Objectives of watershed development projects are to improve productive potential of rainfed / degraded land through integrated watershed management; to strengthen community based local institutions for promotion of livelihoods & watershed sustainability, and to improve the efficiency of watershed projects through cross learning and incentive mechanism.

At macro - level, the vision of WDC-PMKSY2.0 projects is to accelerate the economic growth rate of agriculture in the less endowed rainfed areas of the country. Moreover, this should be achieved by adopting harmony with ecological principles of development for ensuring sustained transformation of economy and ecology. The guiding principles shall be a better Economy, Ecology and Equity in the rainfed regions of the country.

At watershed level, the development plan shall be guided by the need to achieve higher incomes for farmers, expanded livelihood options for landless, equity in distribution of benefits, community ownership and management, and ecologically sustainable action plan.

Sr. No.	Components	Illustrative Activities
1	AIBP by MoWR,RD &GR	To focus on faster completion of ongoing Major and Medium Irrigation including National Projects.
2	PMKSY (Har Khet ko Pani) by MoWR,RD &GR	Creation of new water sources through Minor Irrigation (both surface and ground water) Repair, restoration and renovation of water bodies; strengthening carrying capacity of traditional water sources, construction rain water harvesting structures (Jal Sanchay); Command area development, strengthening and creation of distribution network from source to the farm; Improvement in water management and distribution system for water bodies to take advantage of the available source which is not tapped to its fullest capacity (deriving benefits from low hanging fruits). At least 10% of the command area to be covered under micro/precision irrigation. Diversion of water from source of different location where it is plenty to nearby water scarce areas, lift irrigation from water bodies/rivers at lower elevation to supplement requirements beyond IWMP and MGNREGS irrespective of irrigation command. Creation and rejuvenation of traditional water storage systems like Jal Mandir (Gujarat); Khatri, Kuhl (H.P.); Zabo (Nagaland); Eri, Ooranis (T.N.); Dongs (Assam); Katas, Bandhas (Odisha and M.P.) etc. at feasible locations.
3	PMKSY (Watershed) by Dept. of Land Resources, MoRD	Water harvesting structures such as check dams, nala bund, farm ponds, tanks etc. Capacity building, entry point activities, ridge area treatment, drainage line treatment, soil and moisture conservation, nursery raising, afforestation, horticulture, pasture development, livelihood activities for the asset-less persons and production system & micro enterprises for small and marginal farmers etc. Effective rainfall management like field bunding, contour bunding/trenching, staggered trenching, land levelling, mulching etc.
4	PMKSY(Per drop more crop) by Dept. of Agriculture & Cooperation, MoA	Programme management, preparation of State/District Irrigation Plan, approval of annual action plan, Monitoring etc. Promoting efficient water conveyance and precision water application devices like drips, sprinklers, pivots, rain-guns in the farm (Jal Sinchan); Topping up of input cost particularly under civil construction beyond permissible limit (40%), under MGNREGS for activities like lining inlet, outlet, silt traps, distribution system etc. Construction of micro irrigation structures to supplement source creation activities including tube wells and dug wells (in areas where ground water is available and not under semi critical /critical /over exploited category of development) which are not supported under PMKSY (WR), PMKSY (Watershed) and MGNREGS. Secondary storage structures at tail end of canal system to store water when available in abundance (rainy season) or from perennial sources like streams for use during dry periods through effective on-farm water management; Water lifting devices like diesel/ electric/ solar pumpsets including water carriage pipes. Extension activities for promotion of scientific moisture conservation and agronomic measures including cropping alignment to maximise use of available water including rainfall and minimise irrigation requirement (Jal sarankchan); Capacity building, training for encouraging potential use water source through technological, agronomic and management practices including community irrigation. Awareness campaign on water saving technologies, practices, programmes etc., organisation of workshops, conferences, publication of booklets, pamphlets, success stories, documentary, advertisements etc. Improved/innovative distribution system like pipe and box outlet system with controlled outlet and other activities of enhancing water use efficiency.

For Financial Year 2022-23, an outlay of Rs.4043.38 crore has been Allocated under More Crop Per Drop(PDMC) Scheme.

District Irrigation Plans (DIPs) shall be the cornerstone for planning and implementation of PMKSY. DIPs will identify the gaps in irrigation infrastructure after taking into consideration the District Agriculture Plans (DAPs) already prepared for Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna (RKVY) vis-à-vis irrigation infrastructure currently available and resources that would be added during XII Plan from other ongoing schemes (both State and Central), like Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme(MGNREGS), Rashtriya Krishi Vikash Yojna (RKVY), Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF), Member of Parliament Local Area Development (MPLAD) Scheme, Member of Legislative Assembly Local Area Development (MLALAD) Scheme, Local body funds etc. The gaps indentified under Strategic Research & Extension Plan (SREGP) will be made use in preparation of DIP.

DIPs will present holistic irrigation development perspective of the district outlining medium to long term development plans integrating three components viz. water sources, distribution network and water use applications incorporating all usage of water like drinking & domestic use, irrigation and industry. Preparation of DIP will be taken up as joint exercise of all participating departments. DIP will form the compendium of all existing and proposed water resource network system in the district.

The DIPs may be prepared at two levels, the block and the district. Keeping in view the convenience of map preparation and data collection, the work would be primarily done at block level. Block wise irrigation plan is to be prepared depending on the available and potential water resources and water requirement for agriculture sector prioritising the activities based on socio-economic and location specific requirement. In case of planning is made based on basin/sub basin level, the comprehensive irrigation plan may cover more than one district. The activities identified in the basin/sub-basin plan can be further segregated into district/block level action plans. Use of satellite imagery, topo sheets and available database may be appropriately utilised for developing irrigation plans at least on pilot basis to begin with and subsequently may be extended to all projects.

DIP Template

State Level Sanctioning Committee (SLSC) chaired by the Chief Secretary of the respective States are authorized to sanction projects, oversee its implementation and monitoring.

National Executive Committee (NEC) under the Chairmanship of Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog will oversee programme implementation, allocation of resources, inter-ministerial coordination, monitoring & performance assessment, addressing administrative issues.

At National level, programme is to be supervised and monitored by an Inter-Ministerial National Steering Committee (NSC) under the Chairmanship of Hon’ble Prime Minister with Union Ministers concerned Ministries as a members.

NEC CONSTITUTION

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Pradhan Mantri Krishi
Sinchayee Yojna

Objectives of Watershed Development Projects

COMPONENTS

GUIDELINES