“Haryana’s Smart Irrigation Yojana, launched on June 14, 2025, aims to combat water scarcity by promoting micro-irrigation across 2.5 lakh acres. With subsidies up to 85% for drip and sprinkler systems, the scheme empowers farmers, boosts crop yields by 52%, and reduces groundwater depletion. The initiative aligns with Jal Shakti Abhiyan, ensuring sustainable water management through community participation.”
Haryana Rolls Out Smart Irrigation Yojana to Tackle Water Crisis
On June 14, 2025, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini launched the Smart Irrigation Yojana in Chandigarh, a transformative initiative to address the state’s worsening water scarcity. With groundwater levels plummeting in 85 of 141 blocks, the scheme promotes micro-irrigation techniques like drip and sprinkler systems to optimize water use. Under the aegis of the Irrigation and Water Resources Department, the program targets covering 2.5 lakh acres by 2026, building on the success of existing schemes like the Atal Bhujal Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY).
The Smart Irrigation Yojana offers farmers subsidies of up to 85% under the Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) component to install water-efficient systems. Official data indicates that micro-irrigation has already increased fruit and vegetable yields by 52% in 1,669 villages, with 19,517 farmers benefiting from Rs 179.39 crore in assistance for 58,000 acres. The scheme also supports the construction of 4,000 on-farm water tanks in 2025-26 to store and reuse treated wastewater, reducing reliance on freshwater.
Haryana’s sugarcane cultivation, spanning over 2.5 lakh acres, consumes 1.78 crore lakh litres of water per crop cycle through traditional flood irrigation. The new initiative aims to cut this by 30-40% using drip irrigation, which boasts 95% water efficiency compared to 40% for conventional methods. This shift is critical in water-stressed regions like Sirsa and Fatehabad, where groundwater depth has reached 100 feet.
The Yojana integrates with the Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain – 2025, launched in Panchkula, emphasizing “Jal Sanchay, Janbhagidari” (water conservation through community participation). Over 10,000 stakeholders, including farmers and NGOs, attended the launch, which also introduced the Water Resources Atlas for scientific mapping of water availability. An Online Canal Water Management System was unveiled to enhance irrigation efficiency.
Smt. Shruti Choudhry, Minister for Irrigation and Water Resources, highlighted the scheme’s focus on sustainable practices like crop diversification and direct seeded rice (DSR). The Micro Irrigation and Command Area Development Authority (MICADA) reported that 26,763 farmers adopted micro-irrigation across 40,171.75 hectares in 2023-24. The government plans to construct 2,000 additional recharge borewells and rooftop rainwater harvesting structures by 2026 to bolster groundwater recharge.
Farmers are incentivized through a tiered subsidy model: 20% on water tank excavation, 40% on construction, and 40% on micro-irrigation installation. For every 25 acres, 2 kanals of land must be allocated for on-farm ponds. The scheme also ensures 99% government funding for watercourse rehabilitation, with farmers contributing just 1%.
Satbir S. Kadian, Project Director of Atal Bhujal Yojana, stated, “Community-led efforts are transforming Haryana into a model for sustainable water management.” The initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a water-secure India, emphasizing every drop counts. With climate change and erratic rainfall threatening agriculture, the Smart Irrigation Yojana positions Haryana as a leader in climate-smart farming.
Disclaimer: This article is based on information from government announcements, official statements from the Irrigation and Water Resources Department, Haryana, and related initiatives like Atal Bhujal Yojana and Jal Shakti Abhiyan. Data is sourced from credible reports, including Business Standard, PIB, and departmental websites. Readers are advised to verify details through official channels for the latest updates.