The Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) scheme, launched in the fiscal year 2015-16, falls under the purview of the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare. Aimed at enhancing water use efficiency in agriculture, this centrally sponsored scheme focuses on promoting Micro Irrigation technologies to boost crop productivity and augment farmers’ income.
Scheme Overview
- Scheme Name: Per Drop More Crop (PDMC)
- Type of Government Scheme: Centrally Sponsored Scheme
- Implementation: Implemented under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) from 2022-23
Features of Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) Scheme
| Feature | Details |
| Funding Pattern (Centre: State) | 60:40 for all states, 90:10 for North Eastern and Himalayan States, 100% grant for Union Territories |
| Key Focus Areas | Rainfed areas, water scarce, water-stressed, and critical groundwater blocks/districts |
| Implementation | Under RKVY, with a focus on Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) and Aadhaar details |
| Pattern of Assistance to Beneficiary | 55% for small and marginal farmers, 45% for other farmers |
| Allocation for Special Component Plan (SCP) & Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) | 16.5% and 8.5% respectively, or in proportion to SC/ST population in the district |
| Subsidy Limit | Limited to an overall ceiling of 5 hectares per beneficiary |
| Duration of Subsidy Eligibility | Beneficiaries eligible for subsidy again after the projected life of the micro irrigation system (7 years) |
| Additional Subsidy for Specific Regions | 25% higher amounts for North Eastern, Himalayan States, UTS of JK & Ladakh, and 15% higher for states with low penetration of Micro Irrigation |
| Inclusion in Annual Action Plan (AAP) | States must include all Aspirational Districts, with priority to Namami Gange Districts/Gram Panchayats (GPs) |
| Cluster Approach | States/UTs should prioritize implementation of Micro Irrigation through a cluster approach, with specific criteria for mainland and hilly states |
| Financial Assistance in Groups | 55% total financial assistance available to individual beneficiaries in a group |
Benefits
- Increased water use efficiency in agriculture
- Enhanced crop productivity and income for farmers
- Promotion of fertigation and liquid fertilizers through micro irrigation systems
- Integration with tube-well/river-lift irrigation projects for energy efficiency
- Support for reuse of wastewater in agriculture/peri-urban horticulture
- Creation of employment opportunities for skilled and unskilled individuals
Drawback of the Scheme
While the scheme addresses various segments of the farming community, certain farmers may not fully benefit based on their landholding size, potentially limiting the impact on larger agricultural operations.
Conclusion
The Per Drop More Crop scheme, with its recent updates, continues to play a pivotal role in promoting sustainable agriculture through the efficient use of water resources. By focusing on micro irrigation technologies, the scheme strives to empower farmers, conserve water, and foster economic growth in the agriculture sector.
