**Summary:**
The Government of India, through the Ministry of Jal Shakti, has approved the Modernization of Command Area Development and Water Management (MCADWM) as a sub-scheme under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY). This sub-scheme, approved on April 9, 2025, has an initial total outlay of Rs. 1,600 crore for the period 2025-2026.
The MCADWM aims to modernize the irrigation water supply network, providing water from existing canals or other established sources to designated clusters. A key component involves establishing robust backend infrastructure for micro-irrigation by farmers, extending from the established source to the farm gate (up to 1 hectare) through underground pressurized piped irrigation. The sub-scheme will integrate Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies for enhanced water accounting and management, with the objective of increasing water use efficiency (WUE) at the farm level, boosting agricultural production and productivity, and ultimately increasing farmer income.
Sustainability will be achieved through Irrigation Management Transfer (IMT) to Water User Societies (WUS) for the management of irrigation assets. Farmers will be encouraged to adopt sustainable micro-irrigation based farming practices. The WUS will receive handholding support for an initial period of five years for the operation and maintenance (O&M) of irrigation infrastructure, with the goal of evolving into self-sustainable economic entities.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Jal Shakti: A ministry in the Government of India related to water resources.
Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY): An initiative by the Government of India focused on irrigation and water management.
Modernization of Command Area Development and Water Management (MCADWM): A sub-scheme of PMKSY focused on modernizing irrigation infrastructure.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India.
Shri Selvaganesh T.M.: Member of Parliament who asked the question.
Shri Raj Bhushan Choudhary: The Minister of State for Jal Shakti who provided the answer.
Irrigation Management Transfer (IMT): The transfer of irrigation management responsibilities to Water User Societies.
Water User Society (WUS): A local organization responsible for managing irrigation assets at the community level.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI
DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1881
ANSWERED ON 31.07.2025
SUB SCHEME OF PMKSY
1881. SHRI SELVAGANAPATHI T.M.
Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is a fact that the Government has approved a sub scheme of Pradhan Mantri Krishi
Sinchayee Yojana as modernisation of command area development and water management and if so, the
details thereof;
(b) whether it is a fact that the said sub scheme with an initial outlay of Rs.1,600 crore is set to run from
2025-2026 and is designed to enhance the irrigation infrastructure in the country;
(c) if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether the said sub scheme aims to build sustainable farming practices as well; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI
(SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY)
(a) Yes. The Cabinet has approved Modernization of Command Area Development and Water
Management (M-CADWM) as a sub-scheme of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) for
the period 2025-2026 with an initial total outlay of Rs.1600 crore on 09.04.2025.
(b) & (c) Yes. The scheme aims for modernization of the irrigation water supply network to supply
irrigation water from existing canals or other established sources to a designated cluster. It will make
robust backend infrastructure for micro-irrigation by farmers from established source to the Farm gate
upto 1 Ha with underground pressurized piped irrigation. The use of SCADA, Internet of things
technology will be used for water accounting and water management. This will increase the Water Use
Efficiency (WUE) at the farm level, increase agriculture production & productivity; and thereby increase
the income of farmers.
(d) & (e) The projects will be made sustainable by Irrigation Management Transfer (IMT) to the Water
User Society (WUS) for management of irrigation assets. The farmers will be encouraged to adopt
sustainable micro-irrigation based farming practices to increase agriculture production & productivity.
The Water User Societies (WUS) will be given handholding support for initial period of five years for
O&M of irrigation infrastructure and evolve as a self-sustainable economic entity.
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