1) Micro-irrigation can play a pivotal role in doubling farmers' incomes in India by providing a quick way to boost yields. Micro-irrigation has been shown to increase incomes by 40-50% on average through higher productivity and lower input costs. 2) While micro-irrigation has the potential to benefit 61 million hectares of land in India, the current adoption rate is only around 10% of the potential due to issues like lengthy application processes, delays in subsidy disbursements, and an inefficient delivery system. 3) Nine game-changing reforms are proposed to accelerate micro-irrigation adoption rates, including streamlining subsidies, using IT to improve process management, ensuring a stable policy environment

1. .
DOUBLING FARMERS INCOME
V. Praveen Rao, Vice Chancellor
Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University
Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, Telangana State, India - 500030
Email: velchalap@gmail.com and vcpjtsau@gmail.com
25th November, 2017
Jal Sanchay &
Sinchan
3 Per Drop More Crop
2
AIBP and
IWMP
Micro-
Irrigation
Har Khet Ko Pani
Assured irrigation
to all agricultural
fields
1
MICROIRRIGATION – A QUICK & EFFICIENT TOOL TO ACHIEVE THE GOAL

2. Water
Sector–
Complexities
&
Challenges
(Source: India WRI

3. INCREASING CHALLENGES IN FOOD & WATER SECURITY

4. IMPACT OF MICROIRRIGATION: Input Savings & Productivity Increase
Micro irrigation can help improve all facets of the production process, from reduction in input
consumption to increased productivity of the crop. It has even given farmers the flexibility to
introduce new crops on their lands.

5. IMPACT OF MICROIRRIGATION
A look at the average benefit-to-cost ratio for the crops grown in each state shows that the benefits to the farmer outweigh
the costs of installation in every case. The income of the farmer also shows an average of 42% increase*

6. MICROIRRIGATION
A QUICK & EFFICIENT TOOL TO ACHIEVE THE GOAL OF DOUBLING FARMERS
INCOME
Micro irrigation can play a pivotal role in doubling the farmers income , as
at least 40-50% increase in income levels due to micro irrigation is already
proven
 It’s a quick tool to achieve visible benefits as supply and installation does not
involves long timelines
 69 million Ha is the ultimate potential for Micro Irrigation* in the country, till
now about 8 million Ha has been covered, leaving a scope of 61 million Ha
where 40-50% increase in income levels can be achieved with this solution
 Micro irrigation coupled with other measures, the target of doubling the
farmers income can be achieved.

7. – ACCELERATING THE ADOPTION RATE, A KEY PRIORITY
After 10 Years of the MI scheme, the current adoption is just at 10% of the potential
MICROIRRIGATION
The Vajpayee Government recognised Microirrigation as a key
technological intervention which led to the creation of Task force on
Microirrigation.
Considering the ultimate microirrigation potential of 69 Million
Hectares,
the task force report submitted in January 2004, set the following target:
Plan
Period
Target Set by Task Force (M
Ha)
Actual Coverage (M Ha)
Xth Plan 3 Million Hectares
Only 6.9 Million Hectares
XIth Plan 14 Million Hectares
“With just 1% adoption
rate every year, it will
take 100 years to reach
the potential”
Accelerating the pace of
adoption is the key, higher
adoption target of at least 2
Million Hectares plus per
year needs to be fixed

8. MICROIRRIGATION
- WHAT IS HOLDING BACK THE ADOPTION
RATE
Legacy processes, delays by state governments, inefficient delivery and inadequate funds
are the key bottlenecks
Current Process / Approach - Demerits
Maximum Government, Minimum Governance
• It takes 3 to 6 months for the farmer to get the system
• New guidelines issued between 3 to 9 months after commencement of the financial year,
operational period of scheme on an average is 5 months of the year during peak demand times
(sowing season), the benefits of these schemes are not being availed.
• High subsidy delivery cost
• MI companies get subsidy payments between 4 to 18 months
• Delayed decision on pricing
• The application process is extremely lengthy

9. WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO ACCELERATE MICROIRRIGATION IN THE
COUNTRY
9 Game changers proposed
Accelerating growth of Indian agriculture: Micro irrigation an efficient s
Game changer # 1 'A different approach' to the subsidy process
Game changer # 2 Better process management – Use of IT and dedicated
team
Game changer # 3 Stable policy environment
Game changer # 4 Capping and moderating subsidy support
Game changer # 5 Financial inclusion
Game changer # 6 Crop focus: Making drip mandatory for sugarcane nationwide
Game changer # 7 Command Area Development And Water
Management
Game changer # 8 Infrastructure status to microirrigation industry
Game changer # 9 Others – Making water an economic commodity, region & crop specific
solutions,