Per Drop More Crop: Expanding Micro-Irrigation Coverage in India

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Key takeaways

The Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) scheme has expanded micro-irrigation across 115 lakh hectares by July 2026, representing 8.11% of India's net sown area.
Agriculture accounts for over 80% of India's water consumption, while only around 50% of total net sown land has irrigation facilities.
Under PDMC, small and marginal farmers receive 55% financial support, whereas other farmers get 45% assistance up to 5 hectares.
During 2025-26, central releases under PM-RKVY reached ₹8,957.72 crore, with ₹3,226.36 crore allocated specifically for PDMC.
According to the Economic Survey 2020-21, adopting micro-irrigation generates water savings of 20% to 48% and increases crop yields by 20% to 38%.

The central government recently highlighted the significant progress made under the Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) scheme.
By July 2026, this key micro-irrigation initiative brought over 115 lakh hectares of agricultural land under efficient water management.

The Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) scheme boosts farm water efficiency by encouraging drip and sprinkler irrigation practices.
This government initiative started in January 2006 as the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Micro Irrigation.
Authorities upgraded the program to the National Mission on Micro Irrigation (NMMI) during 2010-11.
In 2014-15, the program was integrated into the National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) under the On Farm Water Management (OFWM) component.
Between 2015-16 and 2021-22, the government implemented it as PDMC under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY).
Since 2022-23, PDMC functions under the umbrella of the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM-RKVY).
Farmers receive financial support to set up micro-irrigation systems for up to 5 hectares per farming household.
Small and marginal farmers obtain 55% financial aid, while other farmers receive 45% assistance, with central releases reaching ₹8,123.24 crore over three years.
Agriculture consumes more than 80% of available water in India, yet only about 50% of net sown land has irrigation facilities.
PDMC directly targets this gap by preventing water waste and improving crop output across farmlands.

The scheme expanded coverage across 115 lakh hectares, representing 8.11% of the net sown area in India.
During 2025-26, states like Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Rajasthan covered the largest areas under PDMC.
The scheme benefited around 12.30 lakh farmers in that period, with women making up nearly 20% of the total beneficiaries.
New operational guidelines allow states to construct micro-level water storage tanks and farm ponds, known as diggis, under the Other Interventions component.
States can now spend beyond earlier limits of 20% for general states and 40% for Himalayan or North-Eastern regions based on local needs.

First launched in 2007-08, the initiative was restructured into PM-RKVY in October 2024 by merging nine distinct agricultural schemes.
State governments gain flexibility under PM-RKVY to reallocate funds between components according to local agricultural priorities.
In 2025-26, the center released ₹8,957.72 crore under PM-RKVY, allocating ₹3,226.36 crore directly for PDMC activities.

Drip irrigation releases water slowly near crop root zones through lateral tubes, cutting evaporation losses.
On-line drip systems feature individual drippers mounted on pipes, making them ideal for crops with wide or irregular spacing.
In-line drip systems contain built-in emitters spaced at regular intervals, supplying water evenly to systematically planted crops.

Sprinkler irrigation sprays pressurized water through nozzles, imitating natural rainfall for high-density crops, pulses, and oilseeds.
Portable sprinklers use movable pipes so farmers can relocate equipment across flat or uneven fields easily.
Micro sprinklers discharge water across a short radius, protecting delicate leafy vegetables and maintaining micro-climate moisture.
Mini sprinklers supply water to closely spaced crops like groundnuts or onions while safeguarding crops against cold frost damage.
Semi-permanent sprinklers feature buried underground main pipes, allowing farmers to shift vertical riser nozzles as needed.
Rain-guns act as high-pressure sprinklers that discharge 10,000 to 32,000 litres of water per hour across expansive fields quickly.

The policy focuses on precise water application to increase crop productivity while conserving finite water resources.
It promotes fertigation, delivering soluble fertilizers through irrigation pipes directly to roots for enhanced nutrient absorption.
Priority goes to water-stressed and over-exploited groundwater zones across drought-prone agricultural districts.
The scheme links micro-irrigation setups with tube wells, river-lift installations, and solar-powered pumping systems.
PDMC combines modern irrigation technologies with other government schemes to deliver maximum water efficiency.

At the national level, the National Stewardship Council (NSC) guides strategic planning and operational direction under PM-RKVY.
State-level implementation relies on the State Level Sanctioning Committee (SLSC) for plan approvals and the Inter-Departmental Working Group (IDWG) for coordination.
The District Level Implementation Committee (DLIC) supervises ground-level execution and coordinates actions among local offices.

A NITI Aayog evaluation for 2020-21 indicated that PDMC raised farmer incomes by 10% to 69% and improved water efficiency by 30% to 70%.
The Economic Survey 2020-21 reported water savings of 20% to 48%, energy savings of 10% to 17%, and fertilizer savings of 11% to 19%.
Adopting micro-irrigation practices increased crop yields by 20% to 38%, lifting overall farm profitability.
A 2023 study by IIMA across six states confirmed that farmers adopt micro-irrigation to combat groundwater decline and secure stable yields.

The Per Drop More Crop scheme drives a transformation from traditional flood irrigation toward high-efficiency precision farming.
Covering over 115 lakh hectares, PDMC serves as a vital tool for ensuring long-term water security and improving farm livelihoods across India.