The Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has introduced new flexibility under the Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) scheme to enhance water conservation and farmer income.

Recent Changes in the Scheme

• States and Union Territories (UTs) can now plan micro-level water storage and conservation projects under “Other Interventions” (OI) beyond previous fund limits.
  • Earlier, funds were restricted to 20% of total allocation (40% for NE and Himalayan States, J&K, Ladakh); now States/UTs can exceed limits based on local requirements.

About Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) Scheme

• The PDMC scheme, launched in 2015-16 under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY).
• The Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare implemented the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS)  from the year 2015-16 to 2021-22 as a component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY).
  • From the year 2022-23, the scheme is being implemented under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana
• Objective: Enhance water use efficiency at the farm level using drip and sprinkler irrigation systems, reduce input costs, save water, and increase farmer income.
• Nodal Body: The scheme is implemented by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India. 
  • NABARD manages the Micro Irrigation Fund (MIF) with an initial corpus of ₹5000 crore to support innovative projects and subsidized loans.
• Financial Assistance:
  • 55% subsidy for small and marginal farmers; 45% for others.
  • Additional state-level incentives/top-up subsidies are provided to encourage adoption.
  • North Eastern and Himalayan States receive 25% higher unit cost, and low-penetration States 15% higher, to expand coverage.
• Technological Support: Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) provides scientific technologies including rainwater harvesting, smart irrigation scheduling, fertigation, and resource conservation to increase water productivity and sustainable agriculture.

Check Out UPSC CSE Books

Visit PW Store

• Impact:
  • From 2015-16 to 2023-24, 83.06 lakh hectares covered under micro-irrigation.
  • Micro-irrigation reduces water use, fertilizer application, labor costs, and overall input costs while increasing farmer income.
  • Contributes to national priorities like on-farm water efficiency and enhanced crop productivity.

DOWNLOAD PDF