Assessment of Indirect/Intangible Benefit due to Irrigation Projects in its Command/Local/Vicinity Area

The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), launched in 2015-16, aims to enhance water use efficiency (WUE) through modern tools such as the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system, micro-irrigation, and pipe distribution networks. The initiative seeks to reduce water allocation for agriculture from 70% to 50% while ensuring better on-farm water access, expanding irrigated areas, improving water efficiency, and promoting sustainable water conservation practices.

As part of this effort, the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Central Water Commission (CWC) have commissioned the National Council for Applied Economic Research (NCAER) to assess the indirect and intangible benefits of major irrigation projects. These studies aim to include these benefits in evaluating the techno-economic viability of irrigation projects, focusing on both national and location-specific advantages.

Indirect/Intangible Benefits:

1. National Benefits:

• Increased National Resources: Irrigation supports resource conservation, enhances land productivity, and enables the production of nutritionally vital foods (e.g., fruits, vegetables, and dairy products).
• Increased Stability: Irrigated agriculture reduces vulnerability to droughts, ensuring crop stability and stable income for farmers.

2. Location-Specific Benefits:

• Benefits to farmers, traders, property owners, and suppliers in project command areas.

Overall, the PMKSY integrates tangible and intangible benefits to provide a broader understanding of irrigation projects’ socio-economic and environmental impacts.