Northeast Desk, 7th February: The Meghalaya government on February 7 distributed cheques to Self-Help Group (SHG) members and beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) Watershed Development Component 2.0.
Meghalaya has emerged as one of the top performers in the country in implementing the PMKSY Watershed Development Component, owing to its robust SHG and grassroots network.
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma highlighted the significance of water management in Meghalaya, emphasizing the challenges faced despite the state’s abundance of natural resources. He expressed hope that initiatives under PMKSY WDC 2.0, such as watershed management, natural resources management, afforestation, agricultural improvement programs, and livelihood and income generation activities, would contribute significantly to water management efforts in the state. Sangma encouraged SHG members to utilize the seed money judiciously to ensure the success of the program.
The PMKSY, launched on July 1, 2015, aims to extend irrigation coverage (‘Har Khet ko Pani’) and improve water use efficiency (‘More crop per drop’). It focuses on convergence of investments in irrigation at the field level, expanding cultivable area under assured irrigation, reducing water wastage, enhancing adoption of precision irrigation and water-saving technologies, and introducing sustainable water conservation practices.
Under PMKSY, the central government provides subsidies to farmers for installing drip and sprinkler irrigation systems. Small and marginal farmers receive a 55% subsidy of the indicative unit cost, while other farmers receive a 45% subsidy. This initiative aligns with the broader goal of ensuring access to protective irrigation for all agricultural farms in the country, promoting rural prosperity.
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