UP Launches ₹1,600-Cr Irrigation Overhaul To Boost Farm Efficiency And Water Savings

Uttar Pradesh is set to implement a large-scale irrigation modernisation initiative aimed at transforming traditional water management practices and boosting farm productivity. The Moderation of Command Area Development and Water Management Programme (MCAD), backed by ₹1,600 crore in central funding, will replace outdated canal systems with a high-efficiency pressurised pipe irrigation network.

The scheme, launched under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY), merges two flagship components of the Ministry of Jal Shakti Command Area Development and Water Management (CADWM) and the Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP). Phase one will conclude by March 2026, with phase two running through 2031.

Water will be delivered directly to farms using advanced tools like pipes, filters, sensors, and pumps. Real-time monitoring will be conducted through technologies including IoT, SCADA, GIS, and satellite imaging. The plan aims to achieve up to 90% water-use efficiency while significantly lowering energy consumption.

Clusters ranging from 50 to 5,000 hectares will be formed under the scheme, with Water User Societies (WUS) managing irrigation operations locally. These societies will enable participatory water governance and maintenance. Training programmes will enhance farmers' technical skills, and the introduction of the 'One Cluster, One Crop' model will support market-linked agriculture.

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The initiative also has strong employment potential. Thousands of rural youth will be engaged in project implementation, technical support, and ongoing system maintenance. Simultaneously, the focus on indigenous manufacturing of irrigation equipment under Make in India will benefit MSMEs and drive local economic growth.

National, state, and district-level monitoring committees have been formed to ensure transparent and timely execution. The scheme is expected to save at least 150 million cubic meters of water in the first phase alone, ushering in a new era of efficient, sustainable, and profitable agriculture across Uttar Pradesh.