Parliament Question: Irrigation and water use efficiency in Odisha

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4078 ANSWERED ON 30.03.2026 IRRIGATION AND WATER USE EFFICIENCY IN ODISHA 4078 SHRI MUZIBULLA KHAN: Will the Minister of Jal Shakti be pleased to state: (a) irrigation coverage in the State of Odisha under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana; (b) steps taken to improve water-use efficiency in drought-prone districts; (c) funds released for micro-irrigation in the State; (d) whether new irrigation projects have been sanctioned; and (e) measures taken to ensure sustainable agriculture in the State of Odisha? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI (SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY) (a) to (e) Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) was launched during the year 2015-16, with an aim to enhance physical access of water on farm and expand cultivable areas under assured irrigation, improve on-farm water use efficiency, introduce sustainable water conservation practices, etc. Ninety-Nine (99) ongoing Major/Medium Irrigation projects (and 7 phases) were identified and included under PMKSY - Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme with pari-passu command area development in 88 projects under PMKSY-Command Area Development & Water Management, during 2016-17. Out of them, eight (08) projects are from Odisha. Irrigation potential of 292.28 thousand hectare has been created and 106.48 thousand hectare command area has been developed under these projects. Further, three clusters comprising 1,437 water bodies with a target of restoring irrigation potential of 89.73 thousand hectare were taken up under Har Khet Ko Pani- Repair, Restoration and Renovation component of PMKSY. 71.643 thousand hectare irrigation potential has so far been restored. Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) scheme, being implemented by Department of Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare, was implemented under the umbrella of PMKSY till March’2022 and now being implemented under Pradhan Mantri-Rashtriya Krishi Vikash Yojna (PM-RKVY). Micro-irrigation such as drip and sprinkler systems is being promoted under PDMC to enhance water-use efficiency. Micro 1irrigation has been developed in 164.146 thousand-hectare area of Odisha since 2015-16. Total central assistance of Rs 439.74 Crore has been provided to Odisha under PDMC. In addition, a pilot scheme viz. Modernisation of Command Area Development and Water Management (MCAD) has been launched with aim to modernize irrigation water supply network with robust backend infrastructure for micro-irrigation by farmers from established source to the Farm gate with underground pressurized piped irrigation. This will increase water use efficiency and agriculture productivity. One project from Odisha with a Culturable Command Area of 3180 hectare at a cost of Rs. 63.12 Crore has been included under the MCAD scheme and central assistance of Rs 1.8937 Crore has been provided to Odisha. Under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), modernisation of irrigation systems, underground pipelines, micro-irrigation (drip and sprinkler systems), adoption of precision irrigation technologies are being promoted to improve irrigation efficiency. Farmers are also encouraged to adopt crop diversification, water-saving agronomic practices, and participatory irrigation management through Water User Associations. ***** 2