Per Drop More Crop: 115 lakh ha under micro-irrigation
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A PIB backgrounder of 29 August 2026 says the Per Drop More Crop scheme has brought over 115 lakh hectares under micro-irrigation by July 2026, about 8.11 per cent of the net sown area. It funds drip and sprinkler systems, giving 55 per cent aid to small and marginal farmers and 45 per cent to others, now under PM-RKVY.
- Scheme
- Per Drop More Crop (PDMC), centrally sponsored
- Area covered
- 115 lakh ha (July 2026), about 8.11% of net sown area
- Assistance
- 55% small and marginal; 45% others; up to five hectares
- Central release
- ₹8,123.24 crore in the last three years
- 2025-26 PDMC funds
- ₹3,226.36 crore within PM-RKVY
- Beneficiaries 2025-26
- 12.30 lakh farmers; about 20% women
Per Drop More Crop: what happened?
More than 80 per cent of India’s available water goes to irrigation, yet only about half the net sown area is irrigated. Flood irrigation wastes much of it. Drip and sprinkler systems take water straight to the plant, so the same water can grow more crop.
- Farmers can get aid again for the same land after seven years.
- States may build diggis and water harvesting structures under “Other Interventions” without the old 20 per cent cap (40 per cent for NE and Himalayan States, J&K and Ladakh).
- Top States in 2025-26: Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Rajasthan.
- PDMC promotes fertigation and links with tube wells, river-lift and solar irrigation.
How has the scheme evolved?
| Period | Form |
|---|---|
| January 2006 | Centrally Sponsored Scheme on Micro Irrigation |
| 2010-11 | National Mission on Micro Irrigation |
| 2014-15 | On Farm Water Management under NMSA |
| 2015-16 to 2021-22 | Per Drop More Crop under PMKSY |
| Since 2022-23 | under PM-RKVY |
PIB Backgrounder, 29 Aug 2026.
What is PM-RKVY?
- Launched as RKVY in 2007-08 and restructured in October 2024 as an umbrella of nine schemes.
- States can shift funds between components to suit local needs.
- ₹8,957.72 crore was released or sanctioned in 2025-26.
Who runs it?
- National Stewardship Council at the national level.
- State Level Sanctioning Committee and Inter-Departmental Working Group in States.
- District Level Implementation Committee in districts.
What do studies show?
| Study | Finding |
|---|---|
| NITI Aayog (2020-21) | income gains 10% to 69%; water use efficiency up 30% to 70% |
| Economic Survey 2020-21 | water savings 20% to 48%; energy 10% to 17%; labour cost 30% to 40% lower |
| Economic Survey 2020-21 | fertiliser savings 11% to 19%; yield up 20% to 38% |
| IIM Ahmedabad (2023) | farmers adopt it to cope with falling groundwater |
How does a farmer get support?
- Farmer applies under the State PDMC plan
- SLSC approves the State plan
- Drip or sprinkler system installed (up to five hectares)
- Assistance paid through DBT
- District committee monitors use
Why does Per Drop More Crop matter?
| Angle | What to note |
|---|---|
| Water security | Saves water where groundwater is falling. |
| Income | Lower costs and higher yields raise net income. |
| Climate | Helps farms cope with erratic rain. |
| Energy | Less pumping cuts power use. |
| Women | About one in five beneficiaries in 2025-26 were women. |
What are the challenges in Per Drop More Crop?
- Only about 8 per cent of net sown area is covered so far.
- Upfront cost can still deter poor farmers.
- Uptake is concentrated in a few States.
What should be done next on Per Drop More Crop?
- Use the new flexibility for farm ponds and water harvesting.
- Push coverage in water-stressed regions.
- Wider convergence with solar pumps.
What can Prelims ask on Per Drop More Crop?
- PDMC: centrally sponsored; under PM-RKVY since 2022-23.
- Aid: 55% small/marginal, 45% others; up to five hectares; repeat after seven years.
- 115 lakh ha under micro-irrigation (July 2026), about 8.11% of net sown area.
- Rain-guns: 10,000 to 32,000 litres per hour, throw 24 to 36 m.
How to write about Per Drop More Crop in Mains
Practice question (15 marks, 250 words): Micro-irrigation is key to India’s water security in agriculture. Examine the performance of Per Drop More Crop.
- Intro: 80% water in farming, half irrigated.
- PDMC design and evolution.
- Outcomes: 115 lakh ha, studies.
- Gaps: low coverage, cost, regional skew.
- Way forward: farm ponds, solar, water-stressed focus.
How to use this in Mains
- As per PIB (2026-08-29): PDMC has brought over 115 lakh ha under micro-irrigation as of July 2026.
- Water-use efficiency is central to groundwater sustainability.
Quotable data pointOver 80% of India's water use is for irrigation; only ~50% of net sown area is irrigated.
PIB: PIB Backgrounder: Per Drop More Crop, 29 Aug 2026
Exam angle
Prelims: PDMC under PMKSY.
Practice MCQs
Original practice questions (not PYQs).
Under Per Drop More Crop, small and marginal farmers receive financial assistance of
Answer (c) & explanation
PIB Backgrounder, 29 Aug 2026.
Since 2022-23, Per Drop More Crop has been implemented under
Answer (b) & explanation
PIB Backgrounder, 29 Aug 2026.
Which type of sprinkler is suitable for frost protection?
Answer (b) & explanation
PIB Backgrounder, 29 Aug 2026.
Questions students ask about this
How much area is under micro-irrigation through PDMC?
Over 115 lakh hectares as of July 2026, about 8.11 per cent of net sown area.
How much aid does PDMC give?
55 per cent for small and marginal farmers and 45 per cent for others, for up to five hectares.
Under which scheme is PDMC implemented now?
Under the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana since 2022-23.
What is fertigation?
Applying fertilisers with irrigation water directly to the root zone of plants.
Keep studying
Official source: PIB: PIB Backgrounder: Per Drop More Crop, 29 Aug 2026
facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending