Questions/Answers

1. Implementation of Per Drop More Crop (Micro Irrigation) component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY) on behalf of Government with a corporate system and process mode. 2. To promote the concept of Micro Irrigation among the farmers of Gujarat as a tool for wise usage of resources resulting in higher agricultural productivity, thus, improving their livelihood and empowering them to participate meaningfully in the growth of the Agriculture Sector in the State and to process the Micro Irrigation Scheme using state-of-art technology.” 3. To remove inequalities and anomalies in the financial assistance available to farmers and utilized government grant efficiently so as benefits are extended to more and more farmers of the State effectively and achieve sustainable natural management regime in agricultural sector in the State of Gujarat. 4. To introduce Innovative approach for implementation of Government Scheme leading to high level of transparency and flexibility.

The initiative involves supply and commissioning of Micro Irrigation (MI) systems and disbursement of subsidy to all categories of farmers including Marginal/Small/ Schedule Tribe/ Schedule cast/Women. For effective delivery mechanism, the corporate mode of working philosophy put into practice viewing the farmer as a customer and not as beneficiary, the cost of the MI system is an investment and not a subsidy. Thus, leading to customer-centric inclusive approach in implementation. GGRC has put in place a robust IT enabled software application through which the application of farmers from registration to the subsidy disbursement stage is being processed in a most transparent manner.

Since inception of implementation of the scheme from May-2005 to October-2018, 1.7 million hectares area covered under Micro Irrigation benefiting more than 1 million farmers. Average crop productivity has increased 25 % and 30 % due to adoption of Micro Irrigation coupled with saving of water by 33 - 65%, energy saving 69-3030 kWhr/Ha, fertilizer saving around 25 % and labor saving around 35 %. Additional income of the farmer increased by Rs.15,487/- per Hectare. The efficient use of natural resources like water, energy and sensible use of fertilizer is resulting in resiliency by mitigating the negative impact of the climate change.

Prior to inception of implementation of Micro Irrigation (MI) Scheme by GGRC, from 1991 to May-2005, the scheme was implemented by different Government Departments (Horticulture/Agriculture Departments). Due to ambiguous policies and non-uniformity in subsidy pattern, resulted in to limited adoption of Micro Irrigation. The total coverage was 0.22 million hectare under Micro Irrigation in a time span of 14 years. The average yearly achievement was 16000 hectares. Out of the total beneficiaries, the beneficiaries of vulnerable community (Small and Marginal farmers, Schedule Cast and Schedule Tribes) were less than 5% and women beneficiaries were less than 0.5%. Under the initiative, implementation of MI Scheme was started from May-2005 with simple and flexible approach, highest transparency, effective quality monitoring, warranty of MI system, training on MI system maintenance and agronomic advisory to farmers. The effective implementation resulted into adoption of MI in 1.73 million hectares benefiting 1.07 million farmers within the time span of 13.5 years (From May-2005 to October-2018) with average yearly achievement of 1.28 Lakh hectares. There is significant increase in number of beneficiaries from vulnerable communities (SC/ST/Small/Marginal/Women) is observed. i.e 26476 SC Farmers (2.46%), 189463 ST farmers (17.65%), 84919 women farmers (7.91%), 110233 Marginal Farmers and 329471 Small Farmers.

The formation of GGRC as a corporate Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for uniform implementation of MI Scheme in entire state of Gujarat-India is unique and first in its kind for such purpose. Innovative approaches: 1. Simple and Flexible approach of implementation to achieve sustainable agricultural development and food security 2. Single window for implementation 3. Transferred Governance from Government mode to Corporate mode 4. Precise and fast track disbursement of subsidy 5. Higher autonomy in functioning and decision making 6. Well thought business model 7. Multi stage monitoring and control 8. Highest transparency 9. State-of-art IT application to process MI Application

Before the initiative, Gujarat state government was implementing the MI Scheme through Government Departments as same pattern followed by other States of India. It was first time in India, Gujarat state government formulated a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), GGRC to put all efforts into an integrated approach and to achieve sustainable natural management regime in agricultural sector in Gujarat State. GGRC operates the MI Scheme with a distinct philosophy, wherein the farmer is treated as a customer and not as a beneficiary and the subsidy provided to the farmer, is considered as an investment on the part of the Government.

Unique model for implementation of Micro Irrigation Scheme is transferable. Implementation module developed and successfully implemented by us in Gujarat state is already transferred and adapted by Chhatishgarh and Karnataka States of India. The Memorandum of Understanding has been signed with both the states and GGRC officially providing consultancy for transfer and implementation of this model with adaptable changes as per State specific need. Looking to the new way of implementation and remarkable results, other States are also thoroughly emphasizing to replicate the model in their respective States with the help of GGRC.

At inception of implementation of MI Scheme by GGRC in May-2005; Parent organization (GSFC) had provided financial assistance as a loan for the establishment of office infrastructure and other operational expenditure. Till October-2018, total grant of Rs. 5299.75 crore (Including Administrative charges) has been received from Central/State Governments (Rs. 3486.71 crore from State Government and Rs. 1813.04 crore from Central Government) for disbursement of financial assistance to the beneficiary farmers. With the strength of 105 employees, effectively dealing with turnover of around Rs. 12000 Million bringing an average 1.28 lakh hectare/ year area under Micro Irrigation.

Gujarat is having 80% arid and semi arid regions with scarce water resource. It warrants judicious use of precious water hence, there is a huge potential for Micro Irrigation for sustainability of water. Out of total irrigated area of approximate 4.4 million hectare in Gujarat State, since inception of the initiative till October-2018, 1.7 million Hectare land has been covered under installation of Micro Irrigation system. Results of the study conducted by CIIE-Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad on MI scheme implemented by GGRC are as follow: 1. Saving of Water : 33 - 65% 2. Saving in Labor Cost : 35 % 3. Saving in Fertilizers : 25% 4. Increase in Crop Yield : 25-30% 5. Saving in Energy : 69 – 3030kWhr / Hectare 6. Increase in net return / hectare : Rs. 15, 487/- Looking to the need of judicious use of water as well awareness and demand among farmers regarding Micro Irrigation technology, the initiative is strong in terms of sustainability. Implementation of Micro Irrigation scheme in the balance irrigated area will enable us to save huge amount of natural resources as well it will improve the economical condition and social status of beneficiary farmers.

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In past, multiple institutions have evaluated the impact of Micro Irrigation scheme. In the recent past Center for Innovation, Incubation and Entrepreneurship (CIIE), Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad has carried external evaluation/ Socio-economic Impact survey of the scheme. Evaluation consists of collection of data from farmers' fields and analyzing it. For that, survey of the beneficiary farmers was conducted using an application called 'Collect' which uses GPS to monitor the data collected and enables the surveying of reliable information. The GPS location of almost every survey has been recorded. The collected information was assessed, analysed and evaluated.

While conducting the evaluation study of impact of Micro Irrigation scheme implemented in the State of Gujarat by GGRC, following indicators were taken into account and assessed under two scenarios: 1. Before adoption of Micro Irrigation 2. After adoption of Micro Irrigation 1. Water conservation in different crops 2. Labor Cost 3. Usage of Fertilizers 4. Crop Yield details 5. Energy usage 6. Difference in net return (In Rupees per Hectare)

Outcome of the evaluation study of impact of Micro Irrigation scheme implemented in the State of Gujarat by GGRC is as under: Sr. No. Indicator Impact 1. Water saving (in %): 33 - 65% of water saving 2. Labour cost saving (in %): 35% saving in labor cost 3. Fertilizers saving (in %): 25% saving in fertilizers 4. Increase in crop productivity (in %): 25-30% increase in crop yield 5. Saving in Energy usage (in kWhr/Ha): From 69 kWhr/Ha to 3030 kWhr/Ha for different crops 6. Increase in Net return (in Rupees per Hectare): Rs. 15, 487/-

The major stake holders of the scheme are Governments, GGRC, MIS Suppliers and Beneficiary Farmer, MIS Partners (NGOs/ Corporate bodies) Role of Governments (State/Central):  Provide funds / grant to GGRC for disbursement of assistance to beneficiary farmers  Timely review of the progress of physical and financial targets Role of GGRC:  Overall scheme implementation  Timely transfer of subsidy benefit as well as asset (MI System) to farmers  Ensures timely delivery of services to farmers  Quick-redress of complaint of farmer, if any  Promotion of MI Scheme in the State  Capacity building of the Stake holders Role of MIS Supplier:  Promotion of concept of Micro Irrigation and demand generation  Preparation of cost-estimate and design of MI System preferred by farmer  Supply of best quality system components and installation  Provide agronomic advisory/training and after sales services to farmers Role of farmer:  Familiarize with Micro Irrigation before adoption  Submission of genuine relevant documents along with application  Use and maintain the MI system efficiently for judicious water usage and better crop productivity. MIS Partners (NGOs/Corporate bodies)  Provide additional financial benefit by discharging CSR/corporate fund  Hand holding of farmers

Looking to the success of current implementation modality of MI Scheme in Gujarat through a special purpose vehicle (SPV) and with a corporate system and processes, it is evident that implementation of such flagship scheme with special focus has tremendous potential. Making availability of vital technology of Micro Irrigation to the door step of farmer is need of the time. Formation of SPV for the implementation of Micro Irrigation scheme in each of the States of India will definitely conserve precious and scarce water as well as natural resources which will bring the “2nd GREEN REVOLUTION” in true sense.