(a) the details of the grants and facilities provided by the Government for drip irrigation in low water availability areas;
(b) the details of the steps taken by the Government to create awareness for drip irrigation; and
(c) the number of farmers who have availed the benefit of drip irrigation in Madhya Pradesh, district-wise?
THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
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(a) The Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) is implementing Per Drop More Crop component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY-PDMC) from 2015-16 in all the States of the Country including low water availability areas. The PDMC scheme focuses on enhancing water use efficiency at farm level through Micro Irrigation viz. Drip and Sprinkler irrigation systems.
The Government provides financial assistance @ 55% for small and marginal farmers and @ 45% for other farmers for installation of Drip and Sprinkler systems under the scheme. In addition, some States provide additional incentives/top-up subsidy for encouraging farmers to adopt Micro Irrigation.
Under the PDMC scheme, an area of 62.40 lakh ha covered under Micro Irrigation in the Country with release of Central Assistance of Rs. 15440.98 crore to States from 2015-16 to so far.
Besides, with the objective of facilitating the States in mobilising resources for expanding coverage of micro irrigation, a Micro Irrigation Fund (MIF) with corpus of Rs. 5000 crore was created with National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) during 2018-19. The States may access MIF for taking up special and innovative projects for expanding coverage of Micro Irrigation and also for incentivising micro irrigation beyond the provisions available under PDMC scheme to encourage farmers.
(b) Farmers are encouraged to take advantage of micro irrigation technologies by wide publicity through press & print media, publication of leaflets/booklets, organization of workshops, exhibitions, farmer fairs, information on State/Government of India web portals etc. In addition, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) imparts training and organizes field demonstrations through Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) to educate farmers for promotion of efficient irrigation techniques/ Micro Irrigation for various crops.
(c) District-wise details of the number of farmers who have availed the benefit of drip irrigation in Madhya Pradesh under the PDMC scheme is Annexed.