Government says PMKSY funds irrigation infrastructure, on-farm water management and watershed development, while implementation remains State-led

Key Highlights

• Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) continues as the Centre’s flagship irrigation development programme.
• The scheme comprises three major components:
  • Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP)
  • Har Khet Ko Pani (HKKP)
  • Watershed Development Component (WDC)
• Central assistance supports:
  • Creation of irrigation potential
  • Command area development
  • On-farm water management activities
• Projects are implemented by State Governments through competitive tendering.
• No specific provision exists for private sector investment under the scheme.
• States and Union Territories conduct training on efficient water management, but no consolidated national data on trained farmers and field workers is maintained.
• Information was shared by Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Ramnath Thakur in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.

Government Reiterates PMKSY Framework for Irrigation Infrastructure and Water Management

The Government of India has reaffirmed the implementation framework of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), highlighting its continued focus on expanding irrigation infrastructure and promoting efficient water management across the country.

PMKSY functions as an umbrella programme comprising three components. The Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP) and Har Khet Ko Pani (HKKP) are implemented by the Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, while the Watershed Development Component (WDC) is implemented by the Department of Land Resources under the Ministry of Rural Development.

Under the scheme, the Central Government provides financial assistance to States for creating irrigation potential, developing command areas and supporting on-farm water management activities. Project execution remains the responsibility of State Governments, with works awarded through competitive tendering processes in accordance with respective State procurement rules.

The Government clarified that PMKSY does not include any dedicated provision for private sector investment, although private contractors and enterprises may participate in project execution through State-led tenders.

The Ministry also noted that while States and Union Territories regularly organise capacity-building and training programmes on efficient water management, a consolidated national database of trained farmers and field-level workers is not maintained centrally.

The information was provided by Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Ramnath Thakur in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.

Hospitality, Food & Tourism Impact

Although PMKSY is primarily an irrigation infrastructure programme, its long-term benefits extend to India’s hospitality and tourism sectors.

• Reliable irrigation supports consistent agricultural production, helping hotels, restaurants and foodservice businesses access a stable supply of fresh fruits, vegetables, grains and other farm produce.
• Enhanced water availability can improve the quality and availability of ingredients used in regional cuisine, farm-to-table dining and sustainable hospitality concepts.
• Stronger agricultural output supports local food supply chains that are increasingly important for luxury resorts, eco-resorts and destination restaurants focused on locally sourced menus.
• Improved irrigation infrastructure can also strengthen rural economies, creating opportunities for agritourism, village tourism and culinary tourism experiences linked to agricultural landscapes.

For the hospitality industry, PMKSY is a foundational infrastructure initiative that contributes to more resilient food supply chains, supports sustainable sourcing practices and reinforces the long-term growth of rural and culinary tourism across India.