Farmers Becoming Prosperous Through the Pradhan Mantri Micro Irrigation Scheme

Higher Yields Achieved with Drip and Sprinkler Technology

Raipur, Nov 2025 : Under the Pradhan Mantri Micro Irrigation Scheme, farmers across the region are increasingly adopting modern irrigation methods. When the Balrampur–Ramanujganj district was formed, only about 5 hectares of land used drip and sprinkler irrigation methods. However, due to continuous efforts by the government and the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Micro Irrigation Scheme, the area under drip irrigation has now increased to 325 hectares. A total of 419 farmers in the district have benefited from the micro irrigation scheme.

Farmers Receive Drip Irrigation Systems with 55% Subsidy

Deepak Patwa, a resident of Sharadapur Gram Panchayat in Wadrafnagar development block of Balrampur–Ramanujganj district, is one such farmer who has adopted modern drip and sprinkler irrigation techniques under the scheme. He shared that earlier he cultivated only paddy during the monsoon season. This gave him income from just one crop each year. After learning about the Pradhan Mantri Micro Irrigation Scheme run by the Horticulture Department, he contacted the department. With their assistance, drip irrigation was installed in his fields with a 55% subsidy.

Patwa said that after adopting drip irrigation, both crop yield and income increased significantly. He explained that drip irrigation reduces input costs while boosting productivity.

Micro Irrigation Enables Cultivation of Three Crops a Year

According to Patwa, drip irrigation eliminates the need for additional labour to apply fertilizers. Fertilizers are dissolved in water and delivered directly to the plants through the drip system. He installed a drip system across 2 acres under the guidance of the Horticulture Department. Installing drip irrigation on 1 acre costs around ₹66,000, of which 55% is provided as a government subsidy.

He added that fields prepared for drip irrigation can support three crops a year. He himself is cultivating three crops annually and earning around ₹3 lakh per acre per year.

Improving Crop Productivity and Quality

The Pradhan Mantri Micro Irrigation Scheme, launched under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, aims to enhance water-use efficiency in agriculture by promoting drip and sprinkler technologies. The scheme helps farmers save water and fertilizers while improving crop productivity and quality. Subsidy support is provided by the government to encourage adoption.

Notably, drip and sprinkler irrigation offer a sustainable solution to water scarcity in agriculture, ensuring water conservation while promoting healthier plant growth.

Micro Irrigation: A Key Tool to Prevent Water Wastage

Through drip and sprinkler systems, water is delivered directly to the roots of plants, preventing wastage and evaporation while ensuring optimal water supply. Farmers across the district are benefiting from the scheme and moving toward greater prosperity.