Watershed Development Projects and Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana: In Detail

According to Parliamentary Standing Committee (PSC) report on Rural Development, watershed development projects lagging behind badly (only 10% of projects complete) . At the same time watershed development is vital component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY) .

Watershed Development Projects

Watershed Management

  • Watershed is area that separates water flowing into rivers or basins.
  • Management of watershed involves rational utilization of land & water resources, thru preventing soil run-off, increasing productivity of crops, rain water harvesting & recharging of ground water tables.

Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY)

  • Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY) was launched in 2015 - 16 w⟋objectives to enhance physical access of water on farms; expand cultivable area under assured irrigation; improve water use efficiency in agriculture & introduce sustainable conservation practices.

Scheme has subsumed 3 erstwhile schemes of 3 diff. ministries:

  • Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme of Ministry of Water Resources
  • Integrated Watershed Management Programme of Ministry of Rural Development
  • Farm water management component of National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture.

After subsuming above schemes, new scheme was launched under Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.

In 2016, ministry of water resources was once again made nodal ministry for this scheme. Currently, scheme is being implemented under Water Resources Ministry.

Objectives of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY)

Broad objectives of PMKSY are:

  • Converge investments in irrigation at farm level & provide end-to-end solution
  • Har Khet Ko Pani: Enhance physical access of water on farm & expand cultivable area under assured irrigation
  • Integration of source, distribution, efficient use of water thru appropriate technology & practice
  • Enhance adoption of precision-irrigation & other water saving technologies under More Crop Per Drop.
  • Promotion of micro-irrigation in form of drips, sprinklers, pivots, rain-guns in farm (Jal Sinchan)
  • Enhance recharge of aquifers; promote sustainable water conservation
  • Ensure integrated development of Rainfed areas
  • Water harvesting, water management & crop alignment, explore feasibility of reusing treated municipal waste water for peri-urban agriculture & attract greater private investments in irrigation.

Components of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY)

PMKSY has following 4 components:

Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP)

  • This focuses on faster completion of ongoing Major, Minor & Medium Irrigation including National Projects.

Har Khet Ko Pani

  • This component mainly focuses on creation of new water sources thru minor irrigation that includes both surface & groundwater.
  • It also encompasses repair, restoration & renovation of water bodies; strengthening carrying capacity of traditional water sources, construction rain water harvesting structures under its Jal Sanchay sub-component.
  • Other things includes are:
  • Command area development w⟋creation of distribution network from source to farm
  • Ground water development in areas where it is abundant, so that sink is created to store runoff⟋flood water during peak rainy season.
  • At least 10% of command area to be covered under micro⟋precision irrigation.
  • Diversion of water from water abundant to nearby water scarce areas
  • Creating & rejuvenating 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.

(Micro-Irrigation) Per Drop More Crop

  • This component promotes efficient water conveyance & precision water application devices like drips, sprinklers, pivots, rain-guns in farm (Jal Sinchan) .
  • It focuses on construction of micro-irrigation & storage systems.

Watershed Development

  • This component focuses on effective management of runoff water & improved soil & moisture conservation activities such as ridge area treatment, drainage line treatment, rain water harvesting, in-situ moisture conservation & other allied activities on watershed basis.

Implementation of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY)

  • PMSKY works on Project mode. Planning & execution is decentralized.
  • Cornerstone of planning & implementation of PMKSY are District Irrigation Plans (DIPs) . This DIP will identify gaps in irrigation infrastructure of district. DIP can be prepared on 2 levels viz. Block & District.
  • DIPs will be vetted by Governing body of Zila Panchayat & subsequently be incorporated in State Irrigation Plan (SIP) .
  • SIP is consolidation of DIPs & it also takes into consideration State Agricultural Plans created under Rastriya Krishi Vikas Yojana.
  • PMKSY projects would be scrutinised by State Level Project Screening Committee (SLPSC) & sanctioned by State Level Sanctioning Committee, which is already set under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana.
  • State agriculture department would be nodal agency for implementation of PMKSY projects w⟋inter-ministerial National Steering Committee (NSC) for periodic review of same.
  • Funds under PMKSY will be allocated only if state govt. has prepared district irrigation plans & state irrigation plans.
  • PMKSY funds would be given to states as 75% grant by central govt. & remaining 25% share is to be borne by state govt. But, for north-eastern region & hilly states, funding pattern would be 90% .

Change of Ministry

  • Ministry of Water Resources was initially nodal department for implementing programme, but responsibility was later shifted to agriculture department.
  • But since most big projects & dams are under Ministry of Water Resources, PMKSY was once again shifted to Water Resources Ministry in 2016.

Examrace Team at Aug 20, 2021