What Is The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)?

Komal Bajpai

Author

Updated: 16-04-2025 at 12:51 PM

Efficient irrigation is paramount in increasing crop productivity and conserving water resources. On recognising the need for improving irrigation facilities within India, the government-sponsored the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), which creates a unique blend of various water resource management programmes that would help farmers adopt modern irrigation techniques. PMKSY intends to tackle water scarcity, improve irrigation efficiency, and foster sustainable agricultural practices.

In this article, you will get detailed information about the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), its objectives, scheme duration targets eligibility criteria and much more.

Overview

Feature	Details
Launch Year	2015
Implemented By	Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Water Resources, and Ministry of Rural Development
Objective	Expand irrigation coverage and improve water use efficiency
Key Components	Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP), Per Drop More Crop, Watershed Development, and Har Khet Ko Pani
Budget Allocation (2021-2026)	₹93,068 crore
Target Beneficiaries	Farmers and agricultural stakeholders across India

Also Read: How The Government is Investing In The Future Of Indian Agriculture.

What Is PM Krishi Sinchayee Yojana?

PMKSY is a centrally sponsored scheme that envisages enhancing irrigation facilities and improving water use efficiency. This initiative seeks to achieve integrated water resource management through micro-irrigation systems, rainwater harvesting, and watershed development across the country. With the integration of multiple departments, the PMKSY will ensure that the irrigation projects are effectively implemented.

Initiation Of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)

The scheme started in the year 2015 to address the drudgery of inefficient irrigation and lack of water management. The government realised that there was an immediate need to improve irrigation coverage since a large chunk of cultivable land depended on irrigation in the monsoons. PMKSY would integrate existing schemes while also seeking to introduce several new methods of water conservation, efficient irrigation techniques, and sustainable agricultural practices.

Objectives Of PMKSY

Efficient water management is central to sustainable agriculture and food security. Critical in the scheme are advanced irrigation techniques and conservation practices that farmers can use to yield more crops while wasting less water.

Enhancing Water Efficiency: Promote efficient water use in agriculture through micro-irrigation systems.
Expanding Irrigation Coverage: Ensure the availability of irrigation facilities in uncovered agricultural lands.
Sustainable Water Management: Encourage rainwater harvesting, watershed management, and groundwater recharge.
Strengthening Infrastructure: Develop and improve irrigation canals, water storage structures, and farm ponds.
Boosting Agricultural Productivity: Allow farmers to increase crop yield by providing a consistent supply of water.

Also Read: All Government Scheme For Farmers Under One Roof

Scheme Duration

The scheme is divided into multiphase projects divided into the latest extension of 2021-2026. An outlay of ₹93,068 crore is planned by the government under this phase with the main objectives of finishing the pending irrigation works and giving a fillip to water conservation efforts overall across the country.

Objectives Of Components

A focused implementation of PMKSY should take place through its various components. Each of these components is directed towards addressing a specific issue regarding irrigation and conservation of the water.

The Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP) targets completing large and medium-scale irrigation projects that have been delayed due to various constraints.
"Har Khet Ko Pani" ensures effective irrigation access to every farmland through the construction of field canals, groundwater development, and rainwater harvesting structures.
"Per Drop More Crop" encourages micro-irrigation techniques such as drip and sprinkler irrigation for more efficient water use.
Soil and water conservation by implementation of watershed management practices in rain-fed areas.

Targets

Efficient irrigation is of utmost significance to improve agricultural productivity while making water sustainable. PMKSY sets pre-defined targets and a bigger vision is to enhance water use efficiency to benefit farmers across the nation.

Irrigation Expansion: While it's number one, irrigation cover is intended to target an additional 2.85m hectares by 2026.
Micro-Irrigation Promotion: Allowing for more efficient water use, allows for improving micro-irrigation to harness water.
Water Storage Expansion: Construction of water harvesting structures for groundwater recharge.
Rain-fed Area Development: The development of the rain-fed area involves watershed management practices relevant to the region.

Also Read: The Income Tax Bill of 2025 Makes Vital Amendments To Agricultural Income Tax Rules

Eligibility Criteria

This irrigation support helps to meet sustainable agriculture. The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) is tailored towards all the myriad stakeholders associated with farming and water management projects. Key eligibility therein is as follows.

Farmers (small and marginal) working in agriculture.
Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) working in sustainable farming.
Agricultural co-operatives and groups participating in irrigation projects.
Governments, both state and run by a local body, engaged in water management projects.

Conclusion

The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) is a revolutionary program aimed at improving irrigation systems, conserving water, and increasing agricultural production. Through the integration of a variety of different methods and purposes for water management, the scheme significantly champions rural development and farmer welfare. With continued government support and full implementation, the PMKSY promises a complete watershed-oriented overhaul of Indian agriculture, thereby making it more sustainable and climate-resilient.

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