SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir has covered 2,441 hectares under micro-irrigation since 2015-16 through the Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) component of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), while 88,120 hectares of irrigation potential has been developed through 398 surface minor irrigation projects, the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti told the Rajya Sabha on Monday.
The district-wise data furnished by the Ministry of Jal Shakti showed that Anantnag recorded the highest micro-irrigation coverage in JK at 447 hectares, followed by Jammu with 248 hectares, Kathua with 225 hectares and Doda with 206 hectares. Udhampur accounted for 136 hectares, Ramban 119 hectares, Budgam 113 hectares, Samba 109 hectares, Rajouri 107 hectares and Shopian 97 hectares.
The remaining coverage included Reasi at 92 hectares, Pulwama 84 hectares, Poonch 82 hectares, Kishtwar 77 hectares, Baramulla and Kulgam 61 hectares each, Ganderbal 59 hectares, Srinagar 45 hectares, Kupwara 38 hectares and Bandipora 35 hectares.
In response to Rajya Sabha Unstarred Question No. 887, answered on 27 July 2026, Minister of State for Jal Shakti Raj Bhushan Choudhary said the Government of India was supplementing the efforts of States and Union Territories through technical and financial assistance under ongoing schemes aimed at water conservation, efficient water-resource management and climate-resilient agriculture.
The ministry said three major and medium irrigation projects — Rajpora Lift Irrigation Project, Tral Lift Irrigation Project and restoration and modernisation of the main Ravi Canal — had been completed under PMKSY. Together, these projects created or restored 58.30 thousand hectares of irrigation potential, including benefits for Jammu, Kathua and Samba districts in the Kandi areas of JK.
The ministry also said the Shahpur Kandi Dam had been completed, creating irrigation potential of 37.17 thousand hectares. Of this, 32.17 thousand hectares would benefit the Kandi areas of Kathua and Samba in JK, while 5,000 hectares would benefit Punjab.
In addition, 138 watershed development projects covering 5.69 lakh hectares had been sanctioned in JK under the Watershed Development component of PMKSY, according to the Union Government.
The reply did not provide a national average or state-wise comparative data for micro-irrigation coverage under the PDMC scheme, nor did it specify a separate timeline for completing pending lift-irrigation schemes in the Kandi areas. Instead, the Union Government highlighted the irrigation projects already completed and the irrigation potential created or restored in JK.
The Ministry of Jal Shakti’s response also did not list any separate, JK-specific climate-resilient agriculture plan or additional special package for farmers affected by rainfall deficit, drying springs and irrigation shortages. It said the Centre was supporting States and UTs through existing schemes for water conservation, efficient water management and climate-resilient agriculture.
