What is Per Drop More Crop (PDMC)?

The Per Drop More Crop scheme promotes efficient water use at the farm level through micro-irrigation systems—drip irrigation and sprinkler irrigation. It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme aimed at improving water use efficiency and agricultural productivity by delivering water directly to crops with minimum losses.

Evolution of the Scheme

  • 2006: Launched as Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Micro Irrigation
  • 2010-11: Upgraded to National Mission on Micro Irrigation (NMMI)
  • 2014-15: Became part of National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) under On Farm Water Management (OFWM) component
  • 2015-16 to 2021-22: Implemented as Per Drop More Crop under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)
  • 2022-23 onwards: Implemented under PM-RKVY

Financial Assistance

  • Financial support for installing micro-irrigation systems up to 5 hectares per beneficiary
  • Small and marginal farmers: 55% assistance
  • Other farmers: 45% assistance
  • Total central assistance released during last three years: ₹8,123.24 crore

Need for Water Efficiency

  • Agriculture consumes more than 80% of India's available water resources
  • Only around 50% of net sown area has irrigation facilities
  • Micro-irrigation improves water use efficiency, reduces water losses, and supports sustainable agricultural production

Progress Under PDMC

  • 115 lakh hectares under micro-irrigation coverage (as of July 2026)
  • Covers nearly 8.11% of India's net sown area
  • During 2025-26, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Rajasthan recorded highest coverage
  • Benefited around 12.30 lakh farmers
  • Nearly 20% women beneficiaries
  • ₹8,957.72 crore released/sanctioned under PM-RKVY in 2025-26, including ₹3,226.36 crore for PDMC

Types of Micro-Irrigation Systems

Drip Irrigation System

Supplies water slowly and directly to plant root zone through emitters fitted on lateral tubes.

  • On-Line Drip System: Separate drippers installed at individual plant locations
  • In-Line Drip System: Emitters built into pipe at fixed intervals

Sprinkler Irrigation System

Distributes water under pressure through nozzles, creating rainfall-like effect.

  • Portable Sprinklers: Movable pipes for different locations
  • Micro Sprinklers: Low-radius for nurseries and seedlings
  • Mini Sprinklers: For groundnut, potato, onion, ginger, fodder crops
  • Semi-Permanent Sprinklers: Underground pipes with shiftable nozzles
  • Large Volume Sprinklers (Rain-Guns): Discharge capacity 10,000-32,000 litres/hour

Focus Areas

  • Precision Water Management: Efficient and precise use of irrigation water
  • Fertigation: Applying fertilizers along with irrigation water to root zone
  • Priority to Water-Stressed Regions: Focus on water-scarce and groundwater-stressed areas
  • Technology Integration: Integration with tube wells, river-lift irrigation, and solar-powered systems
  • Water Conservation: Construction of diggis, farm ponds, and water harvesting systems

Implementation Framework

  • National Level: National Stewardship Council (NSC) provides strategic guidance
  • State Level: State Level Sanctioning Committee (SLSC) and Inter-Departmental Working Group (IDWG)
  • District Level: District Level Implementation Committee (DLIC)

Impact Assessment

NITI Aayog Evaluation (2020-21)

  • 10%-69% income improvement for beneficiaries
  • 30%-70% gains in water-use efficiency

Economic Survey 2020-21

  • 20%-48% water savings
  • 10%-17% energy savings
  • 30%-40% reduction in labour costs
  • 11%-19% fertilizer savings

IIMA Study (2023)

Farmers adopted micro-irrigation to address groundwater decline, meet crop-specific water requirements, and achieve long-term agricultural benefits.

Related Constitutional Provisions

  • Article 48A (Directive Principles of State Policy): Protection and improvement of environment and safeguarding of forests and wildlife
  • Article 51A(g): Duty of every citizen to protect and improve the natural environment

PM-RKVY Overview

Launched in 2007-08, restructured as PM-RKVY in October 2024, merging nine schemes including PDMC, agricultural mechanisation, soil health management, crop diversification, and agri-startup support. Provides greater flexibility to states for reallocating funds according to local priorities.