**Policy Summary: Microirrigation Coverage under Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) Scheme**
As of July 29, 2025, this policy addresses Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1388 regarding the extent of microirrigation coverage under the Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) component of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY).
**Coverage:** From 2015-16 to June 30, 2025, the PDMC scheme has facilitated microirrigation across 102.56 lakh hectares nationwide, including 1.57 lakh hectares in the North Eastern States. This translates to 5.71% of the country's cultivable area and 2.46% of the cultivable area in the North Eastern States being covered under microirrigation.
**Technology Integration:** The PDMC scheme's operational guidelines include provisions for financial assistance to farmers for integrating automation into microirrigation systems, aiming to enhance water use efficiency.
**Addressing Challenges in Low-Coverage States:** To improve adoption in states with below-average coverage, particularly in the Eastern and North Eastern regions, the PDMC guidelines allow for a 25% higher unit cost for subsidy calculation in North Eastern and Himalayan states, and 15% higher for other low-penetration states. Additionally, the Micro Irrigation Fund (MIF) with NABARD assists states in mobilizing resources for microirrigation expansion, enabling them to undertake special projects and incentivize adoption beyond the PDMC scheme's standard provisions. The Government of India provides interest subvention on loans availed by states from MIF, funded through the PDMC scheme.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Agriculture Farmers Welfare: The Indian government ministry responsible for agriculture and farmers' welfare.
LOK SABHA: The Lower House of the Parliament of India.
SHRI BAIJAYANT PANDA: Member of Parliament who raised the question about microirrigation.
Per Drop More Crop (PDMC): A component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) scheme focused on microirrigation.
PMKSY: Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (Prime Minister Agriculture Irrigation Scheme).
SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR: The Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
North Eastern States: A group of states in the north-eastern region of India.
National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD): An apex development finance institution in India.
Micro Irrigation Fund (MIF): Fund with NABARD to facilitate states in mobilising resources for expanding coverage of micro irrigation.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE& FARMERS WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE & FARMERS WELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1388
TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 29TH JULY, 2025
CULTIVABLE AREAS COVERED UNDER MICRO-IRRIGATION
1388. SHRI BAIJAYANT PANDA:
Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ िष एवं िकसान क(cid:670)ाण मं(cid:361)ी
be pleased to state:
(a) the percentage of cultivable area covered under micro-irrigation (drip and sprinkler)
through the Per Drop More Crop component of PMKSY, specifically for the Eastern and
North Eastern States;
(b) whether remote sensing and sensor-based systems have been integrated to track
water-use efficiency at the plot level; and
(c) the main challenges reported by States with below-average coverage and the
actions taken by the Government?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
कृ िष एवं िकसान क(cid:670)ाण रा(cid:475) मं(cid:361)ी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)
(a): The Government is implementing Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) scheme from
2015-16 to promote micro irrigation in the country. From 2015-16 till 30.6.2025, 102.56
lakh ha area has been covered under Micro Irrigation in the country through PDMC which
includes 1.57 lakh ha in the North- Eastern States. Accordingly, the percentage of
cultivable area covered under micro-irrigation in the country is 5.71% and in the North
Eastern States is 2.46%.
(b): Operational guidelines of PDMC has provision for providing financial assistance to
the farmers to adopt Automation in the Micro Irrigation Systems for ease of operation with
minimal or no manual intervention thereby achieving greater efficiency.
(c): To increase uptake of the scheme in some states, including Eastern and North
Eastern States, a provision has been made in Operational Guidelines of the PDMC for
25% higher unit cost for calculation of subsidy for the North Eastern & Himalayan states
and 15% higher for the other low penetration States for coverage of more area under the
scheme.
Further, Government of India has created Micro Irrigation Fund (MIF) with National
Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) to facilitate the States in
mobilising resources for expanding coverage of micro irrigation. States can avail loan from
MIF for taking up special and innovative projects for expanding coverage of Micro Irrigation
and also for incentivising micro irrigation beyond the provisions available under PDMC
scheme to encourage farmers. Government of India provides interest subvention on the
loan availed by the States which is met from PDMC Scheme.
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