The state of Tamil Nadu has topped the all-India level for micro-irrigation (MI), under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), with coverage of 2,06,853.25 ha for the year financial year 2019-20. The state is followed by Karnataka and Gujarat with 1,41,103.56 Ha and 1,08,322.00 Ha of coverage respectively.
- On the other hand, the cumulative total coverage of MI during 2015-2020 has been topped by Karnataka (8,15,690.31 ha) followed by Andhra Pradesh (7,17,421.08 ha) and Gujarat (7,00,858.35 ha). Tamil Nadu occupies the fourth spot with about 5,62,059.11 ha.
- At the all-India level, 43.71 lakh ha of land were brought under micro irrigation in the last 5 years.
How MI cover increased in TN?
During the inaugural year of the MI programme (2015-16), Tamil Nadu had just 32,290 hectares under micro-irrigation. After that the State government had started providing additional subsidy to what was provided by the Centre to small and marginal farmers and big farmers through a website “Micro Irrigation Management Information System” (MIMIS). They have also removed 12% goods and services tax (GST) on MI components.The state has provided options to farmers for the purchase of MI components by identifying 45 firms.
About Pradhan MantriKrishiSinchayeeYojana (PMKSY)
Initiated in 2015, with an outlay of Rs.50,000 crore in five years, PMKSY aimed at improving on-farm water use efficiency through a number of measures such as MI.This programme promotes the“more crop per drop” concept by focussing on water-saving technologies with an objective of “HarKhetkoPani”.
