Scheme Approval: The Union Cabinet approved the Modernization of Command Area Development and Water Management (M-CADWM) as a sub-scheme under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY).
Financial Outlay & Timeline: The scheme has an initial outlay of ₹1,600 crore and will run from 2025-2026.
Key Goal: To modernize the irrigation water supply network to improve water access for farming clusters.
Focus on Small Landholders: Aims to help farmers with small land holdings by improving water-use efficiency.
Technology Integration: Employs advanced technologies like SCADA and IoT for better water accounting and management, increasing Water Use Efficiency (WUE).
Underground Piped Irrigation: Implements underground pressurized, piped irrigation systems up to 1 hectare per farm to enhance micro-irrigation.
Sustainable Practices: Promotes Irrigation Management Transfer (IMT) to Water User Societies (WUS) for independent management of irrigation assets.
Community Support: Provides support to WUS for five years, connecting them with Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) or Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies (PACS) for sustainable water management.
Youth Engagement: Seeks to attract youth to agriculture by promoting modern irrigation techniques.
CADWM Program Start: The Command Area Development & Water Management (CADWM) Program was started as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme in the year 1974-75.
Command Area Definition: The command area is the geographical area that receives water from an irrigation system.
