Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY - Micro Irrigation)

The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), particularly its flagship 'Per Drop More Crop' (PDMC) component led by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, is a nationwide mission to transform agricultural water efficiency. The scheme provides massive government capital subsidies of up to 55% to farmers for installing modern Micro-Irrigation systems—encompassing precision Drip Irrigation and Sprinkler Irrigation—to maximize farm productivity while conserving precious groundwater.

Traditional flood irrigation wastes over 60% of water due to surface runoff and deep percolation. Under PMKSY-PDMC, micro-irrigation delivers water and dissolved liquid nutrients directly to the root zones of crops at regular intervals. The scheme covers a wide array of crops including sugarcane, cotton, vegetables, fruits, pulses, oilseeds, and plantation crops. Subsidies are channeled directly through state horticulture/agriculture portals in partnership with authorized, BIS-certified micro-irrigation manufacturers (such as Jain Irrigation, Netafim, EPC Mahindra, Finolex, etc.).

Comprehensive agricultural and economic advantages under PMKSY include: 1. Minimal Farmer Investment: With the government sponsoring 55% of the total system cost (shared between Central and State Governments in a 60:40 ratio), the farmer only covers the remaining 45% balance through own contribution or low-interest Kisan Credit Card (KCC) loans. 2. In Northeastern and Himalayan States: Financial assistance is enhanced to 60%–70% for all farmers, significantly reducing setup costs in hilly terrains. 3. Complete Package Equipment: Subsidies cover screen/disc filters, control valves, mainline HDPE pipes, sub-mainlines, lateral pipes, pressure-compensating drippers, micro-sprinklers, and venturi fertilizer injectors. 4. Energy & Labor Savings: Drip systems operate on lower water pressure, cutting pump electricity consumption by 30% and eliminating manual labor needed for field weeding and furrow digging. 5. Year-Round Crop Production: Reliable drip watering enables farmers to produce high-value cash crops and off-season vegetables throughout the hot summer months.

To be eligible for PMKSY Micro-Irrigation subsidies: • Target Profile: Individual farmers, groups of farmers, Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), and cooperative farming societies. • Land Ownership: Must possess cultivable agricultural land (owned or registered leased land for a minimum of 7–10 years). • Water Source Requirement: The farmer must have an assured, perennial water source on the land (borewell, tubewell, open well, canal connection, or farm pond). • Electricity / Power Connection: Electric pump or solar agricultural pump installed to generate sufficient system operating pressure. • Previous Subsidy Rule: A farmer can avail micro-irrigation subsidy for a specific land parcel once every 7 to 10 years.

Keep copies of these documents ready for registration: 1. Farmer's Aadhaar Card (mandatory for eKYC). 2. Land Revenue Ownership Record (Khatauni, Khasra, Jamabandi, or 7/12 extract proving land title). 3. Bank Account Passbook copy (must be Aadhaar-seeded for DBT). 4. Electricity Bill of the tubewell/pump (or PM KUSUM solar certificate). 5. Crop details and farm layout sketch. 6. 2 Passport-sized Photographs.

• Aadhaar Card of the farmer
• Land Revenue Ownership Records (Khatauni, Khasra, 7/12 extract or Jamabandi)
• Proof of Assured Water Source (Borewell, Tubewell, Farm Pond, or River Lift)
• Bank Account Passbook (Aadhaar-seeded for DBT)
• Caste Certificate (for SC/ST farmers to claim enhanced benefits)
• Soil & Water Testing Report (if available)

Applying for the PMKSY drip/sprinkler subsidy is completed online via State Horticulture/Agriculture portals: Step 1 — Online Registration: Visit your State Micro-Irrigation Portal (e.g. upagriculture.com in UP, mahadbt.maharashtra.gov.in in Maharashtra, rajkisan.rajasthan.gov.in in Rajasthan, agrisnet.tn.gov.in in Tamil Nadu, or links on pmksy.gov.in). Step 2 — Fill Farmer & Land Details: Enter your Aadhaar number, land khatauni number, total farm area to be covered under drip (e.g. 1 hectare or 2.5 acres), and chosen crop. Step 3 — Select Empaneled Vendor: Choose your preferred registered micro-irrigation brand/company (e.g., Jain Irrigation, Netafim, Mahindra EPC) and upload your land papers. Step 4 — Field Survey & Quotation: The vendor's agricultural engineers conduct a GPS survey of your farm and generate a customized technical design and itemized quotation approved by the District Horticulture Officer. Step 5 — Installation & Physical Inspection: Pay the farmer's share. The company installs the complete drip/sprinkler system. The Horticulture Department conducts on-site GPS verification and releases the 55% government subsidy directly via DBT.

State Horticulture and Agriculture departments open subsidy booking targets at the start of each cropping season (Kharif and Rabi). Farmers are advised to register early when state portal targets are released.

• Purchasing non-BIS certified drip pipes from unapproved local hardware stores (only systems installed by empaneled companies listed on the government portal qualify for subsidies). • Applying without an assured water source (applications without an active tubewell, borewell, or pond are rejected during field verification). • Neglecting regular filter flushing (cleaning screen/disc filters weekly prevents sand clogging and ensures 10+ years of smooth operation).

Keep your updated Land Khatauni ready and register as soon as the state government opens seasonal micro-irrigation target allocations on the state portal. Choose an established brand with local service centers in your district.