Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY): Role in Irrigation and Water Management

PWOnlyIAS October 27, 2023 04:12 2514 0

Context: Recently, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the inclusion of Jamrani Dam Multipurpose Project of Uttarakhand under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana-Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (PMKSY-AIBP).

Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY): Role in Irrigation and Water Management

Jamrani Dam Project: Overview, Benefits, and Cost

About: Multipurpose Jamrani Dam Project is proposed to be Constructed in District Nainital of Uttaranchal State on Gola River.
- Gola river is tributary of Ganga river.

PMKSY

Electricity Generation: Dam is expected to generate 14 MW of hydropower and deliver 42.70 million cubic metres of potable water to over 10.65 lakh residents in Haldwani and its vicinities.
Gola Barrage: Dam will feed the existing Gola barrage with its 40.5 km canal and a 244-km long canal system, which was completed in 1981.
Irrigation Benefit to Uttar Pradesh: It would flow to the neighbouring state of Uttar Pradesh,
- The benefit sharing between UP and Uttrakhand will be done as per a memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in 2017.
- However, drinking water and power benefits shall be available entirely to Uttarakhand.
Cost of Project: ₹2,584 crore.

Dams in India: Scale, Age, and Safety Concern

India has more than 6000 dams.
80% of these dams are more than 25 years old and possess safety risks.
According to a parliamentary panel, there are 234 functional large dams in India that are more than 100 years old, some of them over 300 years old
India has the 3rd largest number of dams in the world, after China and the USA.

Regulation of Dams in India: Laws and Initiatives

Dam Safety Act 2021– Ensures standard operating procedures, emergency plans and timely checks.
Technical Guidance of CWC: Central Water Commission provides regular technical support regarding dam safety.
National Centre for Earthquake Safety of Dam: To Assist the Dam Owners, Regulators and Policy Makers with Technical Knowhow, and Capacity Development in the Domain of Structural and earthquake Risk Evaluation, and Retrofit of Dams
Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP):
- to improve the safety and operational performance of selected dams.
- The Scheme had provision to rehabilitate 223 dams, located in 7 States Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Uttarakhand

PMKSY-AIBP: Enhancing Agricultural Water Access and Efficiency

Aim: PMKSY enhances physical access of water on farms and expands cultivable area under assured irrigation, improves on-farm water use efficiency, introduces sustainable water conservation practices, etc.
Launched date of PMKSY: 2015-16
Components of PMKSY:
- Micro-Irrigation Programme : Per drop more crop
  - 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.
- Accelerated Irrigation benefits programme: Har Khet ko Paani
  - Creation of new water sources through Minor Irrigation (both surface and groundwater)
  - 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
- Watershed development
  - Effective management of runoff water and improved soil & moisture conservation activities such as ridge area treatment, drainage line treatment, rain water harvesting.
  - Converging with MGNREGS for creation of water source to full potential in identified backward rainfed blocks including renovation of traditional water bodies

PMKSY

Revenue sharing: Centre-States will be 75:25 percent. In the case of the north-eastern region and hilly states, it will be 90:10
Beneficiaries: PMKSY will benefit about 22 lakh farmers, including 2.5 lakh scheduled caste and two lakh scheduled tribe farmers
Objectives of the scheme PMKSY:
- Convergence of investments in irrigation at the field level.
- To expand the cultivable area under assured irrigation (Har Khet ko pani).
- To improve on-farm water use efficiency to reduce wastage of water.
- To enhance the adoption of precision-irrigation and other water saving technologies (More crop per drop).
Implementation of PMKSY under : State Irrigation Plan (SIP) and District Irrigation Plan (DIP)

Benefits of inclusion of Dam under PMKSY-AIBP: Regional Growth and Water Access Benefits

Ensuring overall growth of the region: Jamrani Dam Multipurpose Project is the seventh project to be included in the list of PMKSY-AIBP.
Targeted areas: Beneficial to Nainital & Udham Singh Nagar districts of Uttarakhand, and Rampur & Bareilly districts in Uttar Pradesh
Hydro power generation: Potential of 14 MW hydropower
Drinking water: Provision of 42.70 million cubic metre (MCM) of drinking water to Haldwani and nearby areas benefitting more than 10.65 lakh population
Irrigation: Improved canal efficiency and micro-irrigation facilities.
The inclusion of the dam in PMKSY-AIBP will allow it to have two feeder canals.

Irrigation Landscape in India: Coverage, Techniques, and Technological Advancements

Irrigated Area: According to NITI Aayog, in 2022-23, nearly 55% of the net sown area had access to irrigation.
Types of Irrigation: Canals, borewell, tube wells, and pumps are major sources of irrigation in India
Role of Technology: The adoption of modern irrigation technologies, such as drip and sprinkler irrigation, has increased water use efficiency and reduced wastage

PMKSY’s Role in Efficient Water Management and Agricultural Development

Geotagging of Assets – It has improved efficiency of implementation and reduced wastage of water.
Decentralised State Level planning: State Irrigation Plan (SIP) and District Irrigation Plan (DIP)
Convergence of Schemes – Better planned and integrated approach thereby preventing multiplicity of schemes
Land productivity – special focus on micro-irrigation thereby improving land productivityi
Increasing area under cultivation: Currently nearly 50-55% of land is under irrigation.
Tri-ministry approach:
- The Ministry of Rural Development builds farm ponds, check dams, and other water harvesting structures.
- The Ministry of Water Resources builds diversion canals, field channels, and water distribution systems.
- The Ministry of Agriculture builds micro-irrigation structures and promotes moisture conservation.
Micro-Irrigation: Under PMKSY, Micro Irrigation Fund was set up under the NABARD. It was announced in the Budget 2017-18.

Challenges and Shortcomings in India’s Irrigation and Water Management Initiatives

Uneven progress: The Parliamentary Standing Committee 2018 pointed out that only 10% of the projects taken up under the watershed development component of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) have been completed.
Fund release delay: Per Drop More Crop” requires higher investment to introduce costly sprinklers and drip irrigation which small landowning farmers cannot afford
Over-exploitation of groundwater: India is the largest user of groundwater with 26% of the groundwater extracted globally
Inter-state water dispute: The cost of implementing river interlinking projects is substantial, and funding allocation remains a major hurdle.
Old dams: 80% dams more than 25 years old and possess safety hazards
Tail-ender deprivation: The benefits of the PMKSY may not always reach marginalised and small-scale farmers, who may lack access to information, resources, and the capacity to participate in irrigation projects.

Enhancing India’s Irrigation and Water Management: A Comprehensive Roadmap

Efficiency:
- Invest in research to develop drought-resistant crop varieties and innovative irrigation technologies.
- Encourage the adoption of drip and sprinkler irrigation systems to reduce water wastage and improve crop yields
Sustainability:
- Ensuring water conservation strategy as in Jal Shakti Abhiyan
- Promote rainwater harvesting at the farm level to recharge groundwater and reduce dependency on surface water sources.
Water pricing:
- ensure rational usage of water resources
- Encourage private sector involvement in irrigation projects to bring in expertise and investment.
Collaborative approach:
- Focusing on management, participation and decentralisation of water resources management.
- Explore the feasibility of interlinking rivers to transfer excess water from flood-prone regions to drought-prone areas.
Groundwater management:
- Regulate groundwater use to prevent over-extraction and promote sustainable practices.