Context: 

Recently, the Union Cabinet approved the Modernization of Command Area Development and Water Management (M-CADWM) as a sub-scheme of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) for the period 2025-2026. 

About the M-CADWM

Objective: The scheme aims to modernize irrigation water supply networks by enabling irrigation from existing canals or other sources within designated clusters. 

Infrastructure Development: It will establish a robust backend infrastructure to support micro-irrigation, delivering pressurized piped water from the source to the farm gate, up to 1 hectare, via underground systems.

Technology Integration: Advanced technologies integration such as SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) and the Internet of Things (IoT).

• These will be deployed for real-time water accounting and management, enhancing Water Use Efficiency (WUE) at the farm level. 

Sustainability Measures: To ensure long-term sustainability, projects will undergo Irrigation Management Transfer (IMT) to Water User Societies (WUS), which will manage the irrigation assets. 

• These societies will receive handholding support and be linked to existing economic entities like Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) or Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) for five years. 

Implementation Strategy: 

• Initially, pilot projects will be implemented across various agro-climatic zones.
• States will be selected through challenging funding.
• Based on the outcomes and insights from these pilots, a National Plan for Command Area Development and Water Management will be launched starting April 2026, aligned with the 16th Finance Commission period.

Benefits:

• To attract youth to farming by promoting modern irrigation methods.
• Expected to boost agricultural production and productivity.
• Ultimately intended to increase farmers' income through the promotion of modern irrigation practices.

About the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)

Launched in 2015–16, PMKSY aims to enhance physical access to water on farms, expand cultivable area under assured irrigation, improve on-farm water use efficiency, and promote sustainable water conservation practices.

PMKSY is an umbrella scheme with the following components:

1. Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation (Ministry of Jal Shakti):

• Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP)
• Har Khet Ko Pani (HKKP), which includes:
• From 2016, CAD&WM has been implemented pari passu (simultaneously) with AIBP.

2. Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare

• Per Drop More Crop (PDMC): Since December 2021, PDMC has been implemented as a separate scheme.

3. Department of Land Resources

• Watershed Development Component (WDC)