The 6th census on the minor irrigation scheme was released by the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation on 26 August 2023 . As per the report, 23.14 million minor irrigation schemes have been reported in the country, out of which 21.93 million (94.8%) are Ground Water and 1.21 million (5.2%) are Surface Water schemes.
The 6th minor irrigation census with reference year 2017-18 was completed in 32 States/ Union Territories . The 6th minor irrigation census work was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Minor irrigation scheme and its types in India ?
An irrigation scheme having a culturable command area (CCA) upto 2000 hectare is classified as a minor irrigation scheme in India. The minor irrigation scheme has been classified either as a Surface Water(SW) or Ground Water (GW).
Surface Water minor irrigation comprise surface flow and surface lift schemes.
Ground Water minor irrigation schemes include dug well, shallow tube well, deep tube well,
Who conducts minor irrigation censuses in India?
The Union Ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation conducts a minor irrigation census every 5-year under the centrally sponsored ‘Irrigation Census’ scheme .
Major finding of the 6th minor irrigation census
Share in minor irrigation scheme
According to the 6th census report the highest share in the minor irrigation scheme was of :
Leading states having maximum million irrigation schemes
Leading state in Ground Water category
Leading state in the Surface Water category
Use of the census data
A sound and reliable data base for minor irrigation schemes is essential for effective planning and policy making in this sector.
This report will be useful for planners, policy makers, researcher scholars, agricultural and groundwater scientists, administrators & all concerned with development of irrigation and agricultural economy of the country.
Union Jal Shakti Minister: Gajendra Singh Shekhawat