More than 80% of India’s available water resources go into agricultural irrigation, yet only about 50% of the net sown area is irrigated — making water use efficiency a national priority. The Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) scheme addresses this by promoting drip and sprinkler micro-irrigation, bringing over 115 lakh hectares — about 8.11% of India’s net sown area — under micro-irrigation as of July 2026, with ₹8,123.24 crore in central assistance released over the last three years.
This article traces PDMC’s evolution from the 2006 Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Micro Irrigation to its current place within the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM-RKVY), explains its financial assistance structure, strategic focus areas like fertigation and integration with solar-powered irrigation, the two major micro-irrigation systems — drip and sprinkler — and their sub-types, its three-tier implementation framework, and independent impact assessments by NITI Aayog, the Economic Survey and IIM Ahmedabad showing significant water, cost and income benefits. Useful for farmers, agricultural policy watchers and anyone following India’s water security and sustainable farming initiatives.
Mudita Learning and Knowledge Private Limited
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Date of post: 30.08.2026
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WATER-SMART FARMING WITH PER DROP MORE CROP