Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana: Per Drop More Crop (PDMC)

What is Per Drop More Crop under PMKSY?

Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) is a component of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), the Government of India's umbrella irrigation programme launched on 1 July 2015 by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. While PMKSY as a whole aims to bring "har khet ko paani" (water to every field), the Per Drop More Crop component focuses specifically on improving water-use efficiency at the farm level through micro-irrigation.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, PDMC promotes drip and sprinkler irrigation, which deliver water directly to the crop's root zone instead of flooding the field. This saves water, reduces fertiliser run-off when used with fertigation, and can raise yields: hence "more crop per drop". The scheme is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, implemented by state governments through their agriculture and horticulture departments.

Key features

• Financial assistance for installing micro-irrigation (drip and sprinkler) systems.
• 55 percent subsidy for small and marginal farmers and 45 percent for other farmers under central norms.
• Many states add a top-up from their own funds, lowering the farmer's share further.
• Subsidy is paid by Direct Benefit Transfer after installation is verified.

How much subsidy does Per Drop More Crop give?

Under the central pattern of assistance, the subsidy on the approved cost of a micro-irrigation system is:

Several states supplement this with an additional top-up subsidy, so the net amount a farmer pays out of pocket can be well below the 45–55 percent balance. Because the top-up and the ceiling per hectare are set by each state, the exact figure depends on where you farm. The subsidy is calculated on the state-approved cost of the system, not on any price a vendor quotes, which is why the department must approve the estimate first.

Who is eligible for Per Drop More Crop?

You can apply if:

• You are a farmer who owns or has secured cultivable land to be irrigated.
• You want to install an approved drip or sprinkler micro-irrigation system.
• You use an empanelled vendor and a state-approved system and cost.

You cannot get the subsidy if:

• You do not own or hold cultivable land for the plot in question.
• You install a system outside the state-approved component list or through a non-empanelled vendor.
• You try to claim subsidy twice for the same plot within the fixed cycle (states set a minimum gap before the same land can be subsidised again).

Small and marginal farmers, and in many states SC/ST farmers — are prioritised and receive the higher subsidy share.

What documents are required for Per Drop More Crop?

How to apply for Per Drop More Crop

1. Contact your state agriculture or horticulture department, or open the state's micro-irrigation portal if it has one (many states run PDMC online).
2. Submit an application with your land records, Aadhaar and bank details, and a quotation from an empanelled micro-irrigation vendor.
3. The department approves the system and cost, and sanctions the subsidy for your plot.
4. Install the drip or sprinkler system through the empanelled vendor.
5. The department inspects and verifies the installation on the ground.
6. The subsidy is credited by DBT into your bank account, and you pay only your remaining share to the vendor.

The exact portal, forms and timelines differ from state to state, so the first step, reaching your district agriculture or horticulture office; is what determines the process you follow.

Why micro-irrigation is worth it

Beyond the subsidy, drip and sprinkler systems cut water and power use, reduce weed growth between rows, and let farmers apply fertiliser precisely through fertigation. In water-stressed districts this can be the difference between one crop and two in a year. Because the government funds roughly half the cost, PDMC is aimed at making that switch affordable for farmers who could not otherwise pay for a micro-irrigation setup upfront.

Help and grievance redressal

• PMKSY portal: pmksy.gov.in for scheme guidelines and state links
• State agriculture / horticulture department: the actual implementing and grievance authority for your subsidy claim
• Kisan Call Centre: 1800-180-1551 for general farmer queries

There is no fee to apply for the Per Drop More Crop subsidy. The subsidy is paid directly to your bank account after installation; no vendor or agent should ask for a cut of it.