The Assistance for Installation of Sprinkler / Drip Micro Irrigation Systems scheme was launched by the Department of Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare, Union Territory of Puducherry. It provides a subsidy on the total cost (or ₹25,000/- per hectare, whichever is less) for installing Sprinkler / Drip Micro Irrigation Systems. Beneficiaries include Marginal Farmers, Small Farmers, Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe Farmers, Women Farmers, Big Farmers, and Institutions.
Key Objectives:
• Enhance crop irrigation and water use efficiency
• Promote modern irrigation practices among farmers
• Improve agricultural productivity with efficient water management
Benefits
• Subsidy for Marginal/Small/SC/ST/Women Farmers: 90% of total cost or ₹25,000/- per hectare (whichever is less)
• Subsidy for Big Farmers/Institutions: 70% of total cost or ₹25,000/- per hectare (whichever is less)
• Payment Mechanism:
• If the farmer completes the work on their own funds, the subsidy is released via an Electronic Clearing System directly to the farmer’s bank account.
• If manufacturers/dealers are chosen, the subsidy is transferred directly to their bank account upon receipt of a satisfactory completion letter from the farmer.
Eligibility
• The applicant must be one of the following: Marginal Farmer / Small Farmer / Scheduled Caste Farmer / Scheduled Tribe Farmer / Women Farmer / Big Farmer / Institution
• The farmer must own cultivable land in Puducherry along with an own/leased tubewell equipped with an adequate water and pumping system.
• Farmers who have already availed the maximum subsidy (sprinkler: past 10 years; drip: past 8 years) for irrigation systems are not eligible.
• If a farmer has previously installed a micro-irrigation system on an additional area, they will be paid the balance amount after deducting the subsidy already received.
• Note: Land on which the micro-irrigation system is installed will not be considered for subsidy for a period of 10 years (sprinkler) or 8 years (drip) even if ownership changes.
• Farmers who have previously installed sprinkler systems are eligible for drip systems and vice versa if they cultivate for intercrops for 3 years.
Application Process
Offline / Online Process
• Step 1: The advertisement inviting applications will be published in leading local Tamil Dailies (Puducherry and Karaikal regions) and on All India Radio.
• Step 2: Visit the concerned office during office hours and request a hard copy of the application form from Uzhavar Udhaviyagams or the relevant authority:
• Puducherry: Office of the Hydrogeologist-II, State Ground Water Unit & Soil Conservation, Thattanchavady, Puducherry-9
• Karaikal: Office of the Additional Director of Agriculture, Karaikal
• Step 3: Fill in all mandatory fields, paste a passport-sized photograph (signed if required), and attach copies of all mandatory documents (self-attested if needed).
• Step 4: Submit the completed application form and documents to the respective authority.
• Step 5: On receipt, your application will be registered and a unique seniority number will be assigned as an acknowledgment.
Documents Required
• A Revenue Certificate in the prescribed format issued by an authority not below the rank of Deputy Tahsildar.
• Photocopy of the Field Measurement Book (FMB) sketch of the land consented for the installation of the micro irrigation system.
• Electricity Policy Card of the tubewell used for irrigation.
• Bank Passbook: First page (bearing name, address, and account number) and the last transaction page.
• Caste Certificate (for SC/ST farmers) issued by an authority not below the rank of Deputy Tahsildar.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the maximum subsidy amount provided per hectare under this scheme?
A: The subsidy is calculated as 90% of the total cost or ₹25,000/- per hectare for Marginal, Small, SC/ST, and Women Farmers, and 70% of the total cost or ₹25,000/- per hectare for Big Farmers/Institutions, whichever is less.
Q: Is there a specific duration for which the land should be owned for eligibility?
A: The scheme requires that the land is owned by the farmer and remains eligible for subsidy even if ownership changes, provided it has not been subsidized for 10 years (sprinkler) or 8 years (drip).
Q: Can farmers who previously availed subsidies apply for additional areas under this scheme?
A: Yes, but for areas where micro-irrigation has already been installed in the past 10 years (sprinkler) or 8 years (drip), only the balance amount after deducting previously received subsidies will be provided.
Q: How is the subsidy amount released if a farmer opts for manufacturers/dealers?
A: The subsidy is released directly to the manufacturers/dealers’ bank account after obtaining a satisfactory completion letter from the farmer.
Q: Can farmers choose between completing the work independently or using manufacturers/dealers?
A: Yes, farmers have the flexibility to either complete the work on their own funds or choose manufacturers/dealers for installation.
Q: Are farmers eligible if they have previously installed micro-irrigation systems?
A: Yes, but the subsidy will only cover the additional area after deducting the subsidy already received for previous installations within the specified periods.
Q: What preference documentation is required for SC/ST farmers?
A: SC/ST farmers must enclose a caste certificate issued by an authority not below the rank of Deputy Tahsildar.
Q: Which documents are mandatory for farmers applying for this irrigation scheme?
A: Mandatory documents include the Revenue Certificate, Field Measurement Book sketch, Electricity Policy Card, Bank Passbook details, and Caste Certificate (if applicable).
Q: What is the time frame considered for ownership changes in the land under this scheme?
A: The land on which the micro-irrigation system is installed will not be considered for subsidy for 10 years (sprinkler) or 8 years (drip) even if ownership changes.
Q: Can farmers who previously received subsidies for sprinkler irrigation also apply for drip irrigation?
A: Yes, if they opt to cultivate for intercrops for 3 years.
Q: What percentage of the total cost is subsidized for Big Farmers and Institutions under this scheme?
A: 70% of the total cost or ₹25,000/- per hectare, whichever is less.
Q: How is the subsidy amount released to the beneficiaries, and what conditions apply?
A: Subsidy amounts are disbursed via an Electronic Clearing System to the farmer’s or manufacturer/dealer’s bank account based on work completion and submission of a satisfactory completion letter.
Sources and References
• Standard Operating Procedure
• Application Form
• Contact Us Email IDs
• Citizen’s Charter
• Grievance Redressal
• Responsibility Centers