The government has said that more than 115 lakh hectares of farmland have been brought under micro-irrigation under the Per Drop More Crop scheme as of July this year. The initiative aims to promote the efficient use of water at the farm level and improve water-use efficiency in agriculture.

 

The initiative began in January 2006 as the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Micro Irrigation. From 2015-16 to 2021-22, it was officially named Per Drop More Crop and implemented as a core component of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana.

 

Under the scheme, the government provides financial assistance for up to five hectares per beneficiary to install micro-irrigation systems. Small and marginal farmers receive 55% , while other farmers receive 45% financial assistance. Central assistance of over 8,123 crore rupees has been released in the last three years. The scheme promotes precision water management to enhance crop productivity and increase farmers’ incomes.