Understanding the Prime Minister Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)

The Prime Minister Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) is a flagship program launched by the Government of India with the primary aim of ensuring assured irrigation to every field (Har Khet ko Pani) and improving water use efficiency ('More Crop Per Drop') in a focused manner.

The scheme is designed to provide end-to-end solutions on source creation, distribution, management, field application and extension activities. It broadly consists of several components executed by different ministries.

Focusing on Har Khet ko Pani Component

The 'Har Khet ko Pani' (HKKP) component of the Prime Minister Krishi Sinchayee Yojana specifically focuses on providing assured irrigation coverage to cultivated areas. This involves creating new water sources, strengthening existing ones, and improving water conveyance and distribution networks.

A key aspect of the 'Har Khet ko Pani' component is targeting areas that are critically deprived of irrigation facilities. The Government of India identified specific districts across the country facing significant irrigation challenges to prioritize resource allocation and project implementation under this component.

Identifying Irrigation Deprived Districts

The selection of districts for the 'Har Khet ko Pani' component is based on various factors, including the level of irrigation coverage, groundwater availability, and the potential for developing irrigation infrastructure. The goal is to bring currently unirrigated areas under assured irrigation.

Based on the assessment and prioritization criteria, the Government of India decided to initially take up the 'Har Khet ko Pani' component of the Prime Minister Krishi Sinchayee Yojana in a specific number of irrigation deprived districts.

The question asks for the number of these irrigation deprived districts where the scheme has been taken up.

Number of Districts Under PMKSY-Har Khet ko Pani

As per the scheme's implementation plan, the Government of India initially decided to focus the Prime Minister Krishi Sinchayee Yojana-Har Khet ko Pani scheme on 96 selected irrigation deprived districts across the country. These districts were identified as priority areas needing urgent intervention to enhance irrigation facilities and support agricultural productivity.

Therefore, the correct number of irrigation deprived districts where the Prime Minister Krishi Sinchayee Yojana-Har Khet ko Path scheme (referring to the Har Khet ko Pani component) has been taken up is 96.

Revision Table: Prime Minister Krishi Sinchayee Yojana Facts

Additional Information: Importance of Irrigation Schemes

Irrigation schemes like PMKSY are vital for Indian agriculture because:

• They reduce dependence on unpredictable monsoon rains, making farming more stable.
• They help increase agricultural productivity and crop yields.
• They enable multiple cropping seasons, improving farmers' income.
• They contribute to water conservation and efficient water management practices.
• Targeting irrigation deprived districts helps reduce regional disparities in agricultural development.

The 'Har Khet ko Pani' component directly addresses the fundamental need for providing water to fields, especially in areas that have historically lacked adequate irrigation infrastructure. This initiative is crucial for boosting food grain production and improving the livelihoods of farmers in these regions.