The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) will do wonders in enhancing agriculture production in the state in view of available scale and scope of irrigation potential here.The surface water scenario of Jammu and Kashmir, in terms of rainfall, is distinguishingly better which adds to the expected success of this prestigious programme of the government.
“Expert reports depict that ground water resources are not being fully utilized and there is sufficient scope for development of ground water resources in the State”, informed Financial Commissioner Agriculture Production Department, Pramod Jain while briefing about the status of implementation of PMKSY here today.He stated that PMKSY will complete the long pending irrigation projects on priority with the motto of “Har Khet Ko Paani” and the government is considering all options including linking of rivers as per feasibility for ensuring optimal use of water resources to prevent recurrence of floods and droughts. By harnessing rainwater through “Jal Sanchay and Jal Sinchan”, we can nurture water conservation and ground water recharge. Besides, micro irrigation will ensure “Per drop-More crop”, he added.The overreaching vision of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) is to use the available water resources in the State efficiently catering to the basic needs of every living being and enhancing the livelihoods of rural population.The FC informed that the status of ground water in J&K, as per the report of dynamic ground water resources of Jammu & Kashmir 2012-13, all the 22 districts of Jammu & Kashmir have been placed under safe category.
The net sown area of our State is 8, 06,680.04 hectares, of which, only 3,10,738.37 hectares is irrigated and rest 4,95,941.17 hectares is still unirrigated. So the maximum focus of the government is to bring more area under irrigation and strengthening of the existing irrigation system through this scheme, he added. The existing water availability of the State is 14.15154171022 BCM from both surface water and ground water whereas the water demand of the state has been projected to 16.61704244580 BCM by 2020. To meet this demand, an additional water requirement of 2.46550073558 BCM needs to be fulfilled.The major objective of PMKSY is to achieve convergence of investments in irrigation at the field level, expand cultivable area under assured irrigation, improve on-farm water use efficiency to reduce wastage of water, enhance the adoption of precision-irrigation and other water saving technologies (More Crop Per Drop), enhance recharge of aquifers and introduce sustainable water conservation practices.
Pertinently, the salient features of the scheme are to mainly undertake rainwater conservation, construction of farm pond, water harvesting structures, small check dams and contour bunding, undertake various measures for creation of assured irrigation source, construction of diversion canals, field channels, water diversion/lift irrigation, including development of water distribution systems.The Ministry of Agriculture will promote efficient water conveyance and precision water application devices like drips, sprinklers, pivots, rain-guns in the farm “(JalSinchan)”, construction of micro-irrigation structures to supplement source creation activities, extension activities for promotion of scientific moisture conservation and agronomic measures.The district action plans for all the 22 districts have been approved by the IDWG, of which, DIP’s of 21 districts excluding Leh have been submitted to Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare. The total allocation of the State as per DIPS of all the districts has been worked out to be Rs 1468546.06 lakh under different components.Besides, the annual action plan regarding Per Drop More Crop “PDMC” for the FY 2016-17 have been approved by the SLSC and submitted to the MOA&FW. Besides, annual Action Plan amounting Rs 1500.00 lakh (Central Share Rs. 1350 lakh and State Share Rs 150 Lac) for the year 2016-17 under “watershed” component of PMKSY has been approved by the SLSC and submitted to the GOI.