The Ministry of Jal Shakti's Modernization of Command Area Development and Water Management (MCADWM) scheme, approved on April 9, 2025, aims to enhance irrigation efficiency and promote participatory governance through Water User Societies (WUS). State Government Departments are currently submitting proposals, with project inclusion contingent on viability and state budgetary support.
The scheme focuses on covering approximately 75,000 hectares of farmland through underground piped irrigation in pilot projects. With a total outlay of ₹1600 crore, including a central outlay of ₹1100 crore until March 2026, the scheme anticipates benefiting approximately 80,000 farmers directly and 400,000 indirectly. While quantified estimates on income increases are not yet available, the scheme aims to provide assured irrigation, promote efficient water use, and empower farmers through Water User Societies (WUS).
MCADWM is expected to deliver benefits at both the individual and community levels. Individual benefits include enhanced crop production, crop diversification, employment creation, steadier income, improved market access, and value addition opportunities. At the community level, WUS will foster a sense of ownership and leadership, facilitating collective decision-making regarding water allocation and distribution, operation and maintenance of irrigation infrastructure, conflict resolution, capacity building, and financial management. The scheme also provides for a one-time matching grant of ₹50 Lakhs to the WUS to start of the Economic Activities, performance-linked incentives for WUS, and infrastructure for WUS offices and training buildings.
The MCADWM scheme envisions automation of piped irrigation networks with technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT) to increase water governance and achieve on-farm water use efficiency up to 90%. The scheme also promotes social upliftment towards a free market regime.
The information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Jal Shakti: The Indian government ministry responsible for water resources.
Modernization of Command Area Development and Water Management (MCADWM): A government scheme focused on modernizing irrigation and water management practices.
Rajya Sabha: The upper house of the Parliament of India, where a question about the scheme was answered.
Water User Societies (WUS): Organizations of farmers who participate in the planning, operation, and maintenance of irrigation infrastructure.
March 2026: The time period up to which the total outlay of the MCADWM scheme is planned.
Raj Bhushan Choudhary: Minister of State for Jal Shakti, who provided information about the MCADWM scheme in a written reply.
Agriculture: The sector of economy which will be integrated with Water Resources departments at Cluster Level under MCAD.
Horticulture: The sector of economy which will be integrated with Water Resources departments at Cluster Level under MCAD.
Ministry of Jal Shakti
PROJECTS APPROVED UNDER (M-CADWM)
Posted On: 28 JUL 2025 4:26PM by PIB Delhi
The Modernization of Command Area Development and Water Management (M-CADWM) scheme has been
approved by the Cabinet on 09.04.2025. The State Government Departments are currently in the process of
sending proposals under M-CADWM. The inclusion of projects under the scheme will be finalized subject to
their viability and availability of State budgetary support.
Approximately 75,000 hectares of farmland area is planned to be covered through underground piped
irrigation under the pilot projects of the scheme.
The total outlay of the scheme is 1600 crore including Central Outlay of 1100 crore for the period
upto March 2026. No funds have been released so far under the M-CADWM scheme.
No quantified estimates on the increase in farmers’ income under the M-CADWM scheme are
available. The scheme aims to provide assured or protective irrigation, promote efficient water use,
and encourage participatory governance through Water User Societies (WUS). It is anticipated that
approximately 80,000 farmers will benefit directly, and indirect beneficiaries will be around 4 lakh.
The Standard Operating Procedures (SoP)-B3 of the scheme (copy placed as Annexure-I) details
the likely benefit to the farmers from this scheme.
SoPB3 MCAD benefits to the Farmers Ver5.25
A. MCAD will bring benefit sat individual level:
1. Enhanced Crop Production: With clubbing of the water sources, PPIN may ensure year-round
cultivation, which will increase crop yields and surplus for sale.Diversification of Crops: Farmers can
grow different crops, including high-value ones, boosting income diversity.Employment Creation:
Setting up and managing PIN systems will facilities generate local job opportunities.SteadierIncome:
Stabilized PPIN will ensure consistent crop yields, stabilizing
farmers’ earnings.
1. Improved Market Access: Better training and confidence building with marketing facilities will enable
farmers to sell their produce at competitive prices, increasing income.Value Addition: Farmers may
engage in processing or packaging, adding value to their produce for higher returns.Local Economic
Growth: Increased farmer income stimulates spending in local communities, generating more business
and employment for associated accessories like mini tractors, drones, Agri robots etc.Energy Saving:
With PPIN, the need for putting diesel pump/ electric pump to draw
waterfromcanalorGWwillcease.TheOverallsavingsintheenergybilloftheFarmer.MCAD provides for
exposure visit of the Farmers to successful clusters/ areas and
continualconfidencebuildupbyhandholdingfor5yearsaftertheerectionofthePPIN system in the cluster.The
saturation of Cluster with all the Govt. schemes, or with CSR initiatives will bring additional benefits to
the Farmer.
11. Farmer Centric: All grievances of the farmer will be dealt by the Water User SocietyB. MCAD will bring benefit sat Community Level with Water Users Society (WUS)MCAD will lead to
the sense of ownership and leadership by the farmers through WUS in themselves. With better
awareness and empowerment, the WUS will be
betterequippedtoreapthebenefitsofgovernmentwelfareschemesandbeableto create a new business
environment to take up lucrative economic activities along with employment generation in the rural IT
sector.Collective Decision-Making: WUS allow farmers to actively participate in the planning,
operation, and maintenance of irrigation in frastructure , ensuring that their needs and concerns are
addressed.
1. Water Allocation and Distribution: WUS are responsible for the fair allocation and distribution of water
among the participating farmers. They establish rules and regulations to ensure equitable access to water
resources, considering factors such as crop water requirements, seasonality, and the size of
landholdings.Operation and Maintenance: WUS take charge of the operation and maintenance of
irrigation infrastructure, such as canals, pipes, and pumping stations. They organize regular maintenance
activities, monitor water flow, and address any issues or repairs required, ensuring the efficient
functioning of the irrigation system.Conflict Resolution: WUS act as mediators in resolving conflicts or
disputes among water users. They provide a platform for dialogue and negotiation, helping to address
disagreements related to water allocation, scheduling, or infrastructure usage. This fosters cooperation
and harmony among farmers, reducing conflicts and promoting sustainable water management.Capacity
Building: WUS facilitate capacity building among their members by providing training and technical
assistance. Farmers receive guidance on water- efficient farming practices, crop selection, irrigation
scheduling, and water-saving techniques. This empowers farmers with the knowledge and skills
necessary to optimize water use and improve agricultural productivity.Financial Management: WUS
manage the financial aspects of the irrigation project, including the collection of water charges or fees
from the participating farmers. They ensure transparency and accountability in financial transactions,
maintaining records and utilizing funds for operation, maintenance, and future development of
theirrigationsystem.TheywillbeencouragedtolinkwithexistingFPO/FPC/PACSCollaboration with
Stakeholders: WUS serve as intermediaries between water users and various stakeholders, including
government agencies, NGOs, and research institutions. They represent the interests of farmers, advocate
for their needs, and collaborate with external organizations to access resources, technical expertise, and
funding for the development of irrigation projectsMCADprovidesforone-
timematchinggrantofRs.50LakhstotheWUS to start of the Economic Activities. The Performance Linked
Incentives have also been provisioned for WUS.
1. MCAD provides for creating infrastructure for WUS office cum training building which can be a
permanent ground for organizing local exhibitions, technical workshops in association with the
Agricultural Universities.
1. Under MCAD Automation of PPIN with established technologies like Internet of Things (IoT) to
increase Water Governance and to achieve On Farm Water Use Efficiency WUE up to 90%.Under
MCAD steps will be taken for social up liftmen towards free market regime. WUS will be roped into the
project construction from the start, do social monitoring of the Project and ultimately lead to owning the
Irrigation Assets through Irrigation Management Transfer (IMT).Under MCAD the Irrigation
Departments’ focus will be on quality of water delivery Service. Now the O&M collection will be on
Volumetric basis at the inlet to cluster. The Water Fee Collection from the WUS will be easier,
corruption free and efficient.MCAD will provide the new paradigm shift in the State Government
thinking about source of water as one water approach will link up GW/SW/Reused Water and integrate
many departments like Agriculture, Horticulture, CAD, Water Resources at Cluster Level.MCAD may
boost in rural economy with demand for other accessories. With WUS as Economic Entities, overall
Start up boost for irrigation/Agri sector, local jobs, rural economy booster is expected.Under MCADWUS can explore in future: private finance through Public Private Partnership (PPP) / Public Private
People Partnership (4P) in the cluster.
This information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN
CHOUDHARY in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
******
MAM/SMP
(Rajya Sabha US Q872)
(Release ID: 2149303)