PM reviews progress of 'Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday reviewed the progress of the "Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana" (PMKSY), the flagship irrigation programme of the government, an official said.

He also urged officials to give maximum attention to drip and micro irrigation in the upcoming projects.

The meeting was attended by senior officials from various ministries, besides the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) and NITI Aayog, according to a PMO release.

Officials stated that out of 99 priority irrigation projects, 21 projects with a total irrigation potential of 5.22 lakh hectare are likely to be completed by June 2017.

An additional 45 priority projects in the states of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha are progressing well and are likely to be completed ahead of schedule.

Modi called for synergy between various government departments, Krishi Vigyan Kendras and agricultural universities to work out efficient cropping patterns and water use mechanisms in the command areas of these projects.

He exhorted the officials to work with a comprehensive and holistic vision for the PMKSY.

He also called for using the latest available technology, including space applications, to monitor the progress of irrigation projects.

The PMKSY was launched in 2015-16 and seeks to enhance physical access of water on farms and expand cultivable area under assured irrigation.

It also seeks to improve water use efficiency and introduce sustainable water conservation practices.

The scheme has various components, such as Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP), Har Khet Ko Pani (HKKP), Per Drop More Crop and Watershed development.

State-level planning and execution of the scheme is carried out on the basis of District Irrigation Plans (DIPs) and State Irrigation Plans (SIPs).

--IANS

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