M-CADWM scheme

Current Context: The Union Cabinet has approved the Modernisation of Command Area Development and Water Management (M-CADWM) scheme under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), starting FY 2025–26 with a budget of ₹1,600 crore.

Key Facts:

• Objectives: Improve irrigation infrastructure and water-use efficiency, focusing on small and marginal farmers.
• Technological Integration: Adoption of SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) and IoT (Internet of Things) to monitor and manage water use.
• Infrastructure Upgrade: Introduction of underground pressurised piped irrigation systems for last-mile connectivity (up to 1 hectare).
• Community Empowerment: Transfer of Irrigation Management (IMT) to Water User Societies (WUS) with linkages to Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies (PACS).
• Sustainable Practices: Encourages micro-irrigation, water accounting, and resource efficiency to boost productivity.
• Youth Focus: Promotes modern agri-tech to attract youth into farming.
• Pilot Phase: 78 pilot projects covering 80,000 farmers in diverse agro-climatic zones. A national plan is set to launch in April 2026 based on outcomes.