- The Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) has approved 56 new watershed development projects in 10 high performing states with a budget of ₹700 crore.
Watershed Development Component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY-WDC)
- Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP): Implemented as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) by the Department of Land Resources (DoLR) since 2009-10.
- ‘WDC-PMKSY 1.0’: IWMP was added in 2015-16 as a watershed development component of the umbrella scheme of PMKSY.
- ‘WDC-PMKSY 2.0’: Extending the success of PMKSY-WDC 1.0.
- Duration: 2021-2026.
- Target: Development of 49.50 lakh hectares of area.
Objectives
- Prevent land degradation: through soil conservation, water recharge, and pasture development activities.
- Increase farmers’ income: Promote agricultural productivity and sustainable use of resources.
- Improve climate resilience: Make agriculture and rural areas more resilient to the impacts of climate change.
Watershed
- A watershed is a geo-hydrological unit that channels water through a system of channels leading to a common point.
Watershed Development
- Watershed development refers to the conservation, regeneration, and judicious use of natural resources.
It particularly focuses on the following resources
- Land.
- Water.
- Vegetation and livestock.
- Human development.
Importance of Watershed Development
- Large rain-fed areas: Drylands account for 51% of the total net sown area and 40% of total food production.
- The soil quality is poor, irrigation facilities are not available and crops are monsoon dependent.
- Dryland areas lack natural resources and agricultural yield is less than irrigated lands.
- Crop failure and distress: Crops often fail in dryland areas, leading to distress among farmers.
- The average size of land holdings is small and farmers are unable to invest to increase agricultural productivity.
- Poor socio-economic conditions: Problems such as poverty, malnutrition, low level of education, poor access to public services and land degradation are more prevalent in these areas.
- Vulnerability to disasters: Dryland areas are highly vulnerable to drought, which reduces their resilience.
- Climate change may further increase uncertainties in these areas.
Benefits of watershed development
- Protection against climate risks in agricultural production and income.
- Diversification of cropping systems and animal husbandry.
- Efficiency of rainwater harvesting and soil moisture retention.
- Equitable access to water resources.
- Sustainable, holistic and efficient use of natural resources.