Question : Irrigation Schemes for Uncultivated Land

(a) whether the Government is aware that a big part of cultivable land in the country especially in Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra is left uncultivated due to lack of irrigation projects as these are rain-fed regions;

(b) if so, whether the Government proposes to launch centrally sponsored schemes for these areas to reduce dependency on monsoon;

(c) if so, the details thereof, area-wise, State-wise and project-wise; and

(d) whether the Government proposes to provide compensations to the farmers unable to sow in Rabi season and if not, the reasons therefor?

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

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(a) to (c): As per ‘Agricultural Statistics at a Glance 2018’ Directorate of Economics and Statistics, the net irrigated area in the country has increased to 68.38 million hectares in 2014-15 as compared to 56.94 million hectares in 2001-02. Similarly, the net irrigated area in the States of Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra have also increased to 14.38 million hectares and 3.24 million hectares in 2014-15 as compared to 12.82 million hectares and 3.13 million hectares in 2001-02 respectively.

The Government launched Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) during the year 2015-16 with the motto of ‘Har Khet Ko Paani’ for providing end-to-end solutions in irrigation supply chain, viz. water sources, distribution network and farm level applications in the country including Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra.

Under Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) component of PMKSY, during 2016-17, ninety-nine (99) on-going Major/Medium irrigation projects (and their 7 phases), having ultimate irrigation potential of 76.03 lakh ha. have been prioritized in consultation with States for completion in phases along with their Command Area Development & Water Management (CADWM) works. Out of these projects, 4 projects are in Uttar Pradesh and 25 projects are in Maharashtra with ultimate irrigation potential of 16.53 lakh hectare and 8.31 lakh hectare respectively.


Apart from assured irrigation, the Watershed Development Component (WDC) to improve soil moisture conservation and protective irrigation sources through small water harvesting structures and Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) to enhancing water use efficiency at farm level through Drip & Sprinkler systems are being implemented as a components of PMKSY.

The State wise details of progress including Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra under these schemes of PMKSY are given at Annexures I to VII.

Further, the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare (DAC&FW) is implementing various schemes/ programmes such as Rainfed Area Development, National Food Security Mission, Crop Diversification Programme etc. to address the concerns of rainfed areas in the country.

(d): The DAC&FW is implementing Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and weather index based Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (WBCIS) from Kharif 2016 to provide financial support to farmers suffering crop loss/damage arising out of natural calamities, adverse weather incidence and to stabilize the income of farmers etc. In addition to the other risks to crops, there is one provision of Prevented Sowing/Planting/Germination Risk in the scheme.