GUWAHATI, Nov 18 - The State has geared up to implement the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) that seeks to achieve convergence of investment in irrigation at field level and enhance physical access of water on farms, besides expanding cultivable areas under assured irrigation.
Enhancing adoption of precision irrigation and other water saving technology is another objective of the Centrally-sponsored programme.
The thrust of PMKSY � as outlined by President Pranab Mukherjee in his address to the joint session of Parliament � is on utilizing every drop of precious water with the slogans �Har Khet ko Pani� and �Per Drop � More Drop�.
The components of �Har Khet ko Pani� comprise creation of new water sources through minor irrigation at both surface and ground water, besides repair, restoration and renovation of water bodies and traditional water sources like dong in Assam. Ground water development and construction of rainwater harvesting structures is another component.
Under the �Per Drop � More Drop� programme, management and preparation of state/district-level irrigation plan, approval of annual action plan, monitoring, etc., are being accorded thrust. Promoting efficient water conveyance and precision water application devices like drips, sprinklers, etc., and construction of micro irrigation structures to supplement source creation activities, which are not supported under schemes, is another part of the project.
Sources in the Agriculture department told The Assam Tribune that under the arrangements, the extension workers would disseminate relevant technologies under the PMKSY after requisite training is provided to them.
�Appropriate domain experts will act as master-trainers, while district irrigation plans will be the cornerstone for planning and implementation of the PMKSY. It will identify the gaps in irrigation infrastructure after taking into consideration the district agriculture plans and available irrigation infrastructure and resources that would be added during the 12th Plan under ongoing schemes of both the Central and State governments such as MGNREGS, RKVY, RIDF, MPLAD, etc.,� sources said.
A one-day workshop on the PMKSY was held in this connection at the Indian Institute of Bank Management here recently. Organised by the State Agriculture department, the workshop was inaugurated by VB Pyarelal, Additional Chief Secretary and Agricultural Production Commissioner, Assam.
In his address, Pyarelal said that the State Government was committed to giving high priority to water security and that it would complete the long-standing irrigation projects, besides launching the PMSKY across the State.
The overreaching vision of the PMKSY is to ensure access to some means of protective irrigation to all agriculture farms in the country, to produce per drop more drop, and bringing rural prosperity.
�India has diverse climatic conditions, and the Union Government has stressed on water security with the aim of completing irrigation projects on a priority basis. Empirical evidences suggest that assured or protective irrigation encourages farmers to invest more in farming technology and inputs, leading to productivity enhancement and increase farm income,� he said.
The departments of Irrigation and Soil Conservation will partner the Agriculture department in the implementation of the PMSKY.
