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West Bengal Irrigation Projects Benefit Farmers Across Six Districts

Source:urbanacres ↗

Why It Matters

Crucial for West Bengal civil services aspirants to understand state-specific agricultural developments, irrigation coverage, and rural welfare schemes.

Summary

Recent reports indicate that irrigation infrastructure and water management projects in West Bengal have expanded significantly, benefiting 2.29 lakh farmers across six districts and boosting regional agricultural capacity.

Key Points

  • Irrigation projects in West Bengal have successfully reached 2.29 lakh farmers across six districts.
  • The initiative improves agricultural productivity, water management, and rural livelihoods in target regions.
  • Highlights state-level development programs aligned with rural infrastructure and irrigation expansion.

Important Terms

Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)

A Centrally Sponsored Scheme aimed at expanding cultivated areas with assured irrigation, reducing wastage, and improving water use efficiency through 'Har Khet ko Pani' and 'Per Drop More Crop'.

UPSC context

Important for WBCS (Paper V - Indian Economy, Agriculture, Rural Development and Irrigation Infrastructure).

Source

Prelims Trap

Alipurduar and Darjeeling are part of the current six districts benefiting from WDC-PMKSY 2.0 watershed projects.

Aspirants might confuse the six western laterite districts of Phase 2.0 with the four proposed northern/central districts under the upcoming Phase 3.0.

Static Concepts Connected

West Bengal Economy & Agriculture

What are the key objectives and funding pattern of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)?

  • Core Motto: Ensuring access to protective irrigation ('Har Khet Ko Pani') and improving water use efficiency ('More Crop Per Drop').
  • Funding Ratio: Typically 60:40 for general states between the Centre and States, and 90:10 for North Eastern and Himalayan states.
  • Watershed Component: WDC-PMKSY focuses specifically on watershed management, rain-water harvesting, and arresting soil runoff in rainfed areas.

Cross-Topic Patterns

  • Centrally Sponsored Schemes & State Co-financing

    The 60:40 central-state funding pattern under WDC-PMKSY 2.0 mirrors many centrally sponsored schemes operating across rural West Bengal.

  • Laterite Zone Agriculture & Water Conservation

    Watershed development directly combats moisture stress in laterite-soil western districts, linking soil science with rural livelihood security.

Expect a direct Prelims question on the specific six districts covered under WDC-PMKSY 2.0 or its funding sharing ratio (60:40).

Linked PYQs · 1

Linked PYQs · 1

  • 2020WBCS_PRELIMSGS1

    Select from the following rice-producing districts in West Bengal in ascending order: