Per Drop More Crop (PDMC)
Source: PIB
GS III: Agriculture- Different Types of Irrigation and Irrigation Systems
Overview
- PDMC promotes micro-irrigation to address water scarcity and improve the efficiency of agricultural water use.
- Drip, sprinkler irrigation and fertigation help reduce input use, improve crop productivity and enhance farm incomes.
- The scheme supports groundwater-stressed regions, water conservation, horticulture and climate-resilient farming.
- Its integration with PM-RKVY and greater flexibility for States and UTs enables region-specific irrigation and water-conservation measures.
Why in the News?
The PIB recently highlighted the progress of the Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) scheme in promoting micro-irrigation and improving water-use efficiency in Indian Agriculture.
News in Brief
- Since its inception, 115 lakh hectares have been brought under micro-irrigation; in 2025–26, 12.30 lakh farmers benefited.
- Small and marginal farmers receive 55% financial assistance, while other farmers receive 45%, for micro-irrigation systems covering up to five hectares.
- Since 2022–23, PDMC has been implemented under Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM-RKVY).
Per Drop More Crop (PDMC)
- More than 80% of India’s available water resources are used for agricultural irrigation, while only about half of the net sown area has irrigation facilities.
- This makes improving water-use efficiency an important priority.
- Micro-irrigation helps address this challenge by delivering water directly to crops with minimal losses.
- The government is implementing the Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) scheme to promote efficient water use at the farm level.
- It is a centrally sponsored scheme.
- It supports micro-irrigation systems- drip irrigation and sprinkler irrigation.
Objectives
- The PDMC scheme promotes precision water management to enhance crop productivity and increase farmers’ incomes.
- The scheme also promotes fertigation to improve nutrient application efficiency and prioritizes water-scarce and groundwater-stressed regions.
- Fertigation is the process of applying fertilizers with irrigation water directly to the region where most of the plant’s roots develop.
- It also encourages the integration of micro-irrigation with tube wells, river-lift and solar-powered irrigation systems, along with convergence with other government programmes and technological advancements.
Benefits of Micro-Irrigation
- Micro-irrigation enables efficient use of water by delivering it directly to the plant root zone, reducing wastage and improving irrigation efficiency.
- It lowers the use of water, energy, fertilizers, and labour while supporting better crop growth and higher productivity through the precise application of water and nutrients.
- The technology also encourages the cultivation of horticultural crops, improves cropping intensity, and brings marginal lands under productive use.
- By reducing input costs and enhancing farm returns, micro-irrigation contributes to sustainable agriculture, strengthens farmers’ livelihoods, and promotes long-term food and nutritional security.
Progress in Micro-Irrigation
- PDMC has expanded micro-irrigation across India, with Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Rajasthan among the leading States.
- The scheme has also benefited many farmers, including a significant share of women beneficiaries.
- Reported results shows that replacing flood irrigation with drip irrigation can improve productivity, reduce cultivation costs and raise farm income through efficient water and nutrient management.
- The revised guidelines also give States and UTs greater flexibility to undertake farm ponds, diggis and water-harvesting measures, helping ensure reliable water availability for micro-irrigation based on local needs.
Types of Micro-Irrigation Systems
Drip Irrigation System
- Drip irrigation delivers water slowly and directly to the root zone through small outlets called emitters fitted on thin pipes.
- This minimizes water wastage and improves irrigation efficiency.
- Types
- On-line drip irrigation- Drippers are installed along the pipe according to the location of individual plants. It is suitable for unevenly spaced crops.
- In-line drip irrigation- Drippers are built into the pipe at fixed intervals, providing water more uniformly to plants.
Sprinkler Irrigation System
- Sprinkler irrigation discharges water under pressure through nozzles into the air, simulating rainfall and distributing water over the crop. It is particularly suitable for high-density crops and is used for cereals, pulses, seeds, spices and field crops.
- Types
- Portable Sprinklers- Pipes can be shifted to different parts of the field according to crop water requirements; suitable for plains and undulating terrain.
- Micro Sprinklers- Low-radius sprinklers mainly used for leafy vegetables, nurseries and hardening of seedlings; they can also modify the microclimate around plants.
- Mini Sprinklers- Used for close-growing crops such as groundnut, potato, onion and ginger; also useful for frost protection.
- Semi-Permanent Sprinklers- Main and lateral pipes are permanently installed underground, while sprinkler nozzles can be moved to different locations.
- Large Volume Sprinklers (Rain-Guns)- Used for covering large areas quickly; they operate with high pressure and high discharge and are suitable for crops spread over large areas.
PDMC under PM-RKVY
- The Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM-RKVY) was restructured in October 2024 as an umbrella scheme incorporating nine schemes.
- It covers areas such as,
- Per Drop More Crop
- Agricultural mechanisation
- Soil health management
- Crop diversification
- Agri-startup accelerator fund
- A major feature is greater flexibility for states to reallocate funds between components according to local agricultural requirements.
Implementation Framework of PDMC
- Since PDMC is implemented under PM-RKVY, it follows the scheme’s institutional architecture.
- The framework combines national-level strategic direction with state-level planning and district-level implementation, enabling decentralized execution of micro-irrigation programmes.
- National Level: The National Stewardship Council (NSC) provides strategic direction for guidance and planning.
- State Level:
- State Level Sanctioning Committee (SLSC): Approves plans.
- Inter-Departmental Working Group (IDWG): Coordinates planning and implementation across departments.
- District Level: The District Level Implementation Committee (DLIC) oversees execution and ensures inter-departmental coordination.
Conclusion
The Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) scheme marks a shift towards efficient and sustainable water management in agriculture. By promoting micro-irrigation, fertigation and local water conservation, it can improve farm productivity while reducing pressure on scarce water resources.
Strengthening adoption and region-specific implementation will be crucial for building water-secure and climate-resilient agriculture.
UPSC Prelims and Mains Practice Question
With reference to the Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) scheme, consider the following statements:
- It promotes both drip and sprinkler irrigation systems.
- Small and marginal farmers receive 55% financial assistance under the scheme.
- Assistance for the same land can be received again only after seven years.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: d) 1,2 and 3
Mains Practice Question
Q. Discuss the significance of micro-irrigation in promoting sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture in India. (250 words)
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