Coimbatore district agriculture joint director M Tamilselvi has urged adi dravida farmers to take advantage of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) micro-irrigation scheme for 2026-27, noting that participation from this category was poor in the previous year.
Scheme Targets and Allocations
A target has been set to implement micro-irrigation facilities across 1,000 hectares in the district. From this, 850 hectares have been designated for general category farmers, while 150 hectares are reserved for adi dravida farmers.
Under the scheme, small and marginal farmers are eligible for a 100% subsidy, whereas other farmers can receive a 75% subsidy for installing micro-irrigation systems.
Benefits of Drip Irrigation
Tamilselvi emphasized the advantages of drip irrigation, explaining that it delivers water and liquid fertilizers directly to the root zone of crops in a controlled and efficient manner. This technique enhances plant growth and boosts productivity.
She further noted that micro-irrigation systems promote efficient fertilizer usage, reduce weed growth, minimize pest and fungal attacks, increase crop yield, and lower cultivation costs.
Appeal to Previous Beneficiaries
The joint director appealed to farmers who had availed benefits under the scheme seven years ago to reapply. She advised farmers to visit block-level agriculture department offices for more information about the scheme and to apply for installation of drip irrigation facilities on their fields.
A financial target of Rs 12.48 crore has been set under the scheme for this year, with expectations that more than 500 farmers will benefit. However, while the general category target was met last year, participation by adi dravida farmers remained low, she added.
