Tirupati Sees Over 20,000 Hectares Covered Under 'Per Drop More Crop' Scheme
New Delhi, April 1 – Since the launch of the Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) scheme in 2015-16, a total of 96.97 lakh hectares of farmland in Andhra Pradesh have been brought under micro irrigation, the government informed Parliament on Tuesday.In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Agriculture Ramnath Thakur stated that this figure includes 20,819 hectares in the Tirupati district alone.
Financial Assistance and Subsidies Boost Micro Irrigation Adoption
The PDMC scheme offers financial assistance to farmers for installing micro irrigation systems. Small and marginal farmers receive 55% of the unit cost as subsidy, while other farmers, including those from minority communities, receive 45%.The state government of Andhra Pradesh supplements this effort by offering an additional top-up subsidy, further encouraging farmers to adopt water-efficient irrigation techniques.
As per state data, 19,272 farmers in Tirupati have benefitted under the scheme since its inception.
Crop Diversification Aimed at Water Conservation
In response to water stress in various regions of Andhra Pradesh, the government has implemented crop diversification strategies. From 2022-23 to 2024-25, about 14,332 hectares previously used for paddy and tobacco under bore wells have been converted to pulses, millets, maize, and oilseeds.The shift is part of a broader Crop Diversification Program designed to promote less water-intensive crops.
Supporting Sustainable Agriculture in Dry Regions
To support this transition, several initiatives are underway:- Promotion of water-efficient crops such as millets and pulses
- Cluster demonstrations on best agricultural practices
- Distribution and production of certified seeds
- Soil and plant protection input support
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