“Navigating the Government Connect: Unlock Grants, Subsidies, Policy Alignment & Zero-Cost Growth Opportunities”
Budget 2025-26:
MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI DEMAND NO. 62
Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation
28. Har Khet Ko Pani :..Provision is to implement projects under the schemes of (i) Repair, Renovation and Restoration of Water Bodies, (ii) Surface Minor Irrigation Schemes, and (iii) Ground Water Irrigation; under Har Khet Ko Pani component of approved scheme of PMKSY. While the Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP)- covering Major and Medium Irrigation projects and Command Area Development and Water Management Programme (CADWM) in relation to identified 99 priority projects are being funded through EBR route from LTIF, the above components have continued under Budget route.
Excellent, Mukesh ji! This one’s a hidden gem — packed with startup-scope in irrigation tech, decentralized water infra, rural asset rejuvenation, and even climate-smart field demonstrations.
Let’s decode Har Khet Ko Pani under the next entry for your “Navigating the Government Connect” series.
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🟦 Navigating the Government Connect
🔸 Budget 2025–26 | Ministry of Jal Shakti
Department: Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation
Budget Head: Har Khet Ko Pani (Component of PMKSY)
Objective: Ensure every field gets irrigation via water body restoration, surface minor irrigation (SMI), and groundwater development.
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1️⃣ What the Budget Is Funding
• ✅ Repair, Renovation, Restoration (RRR) of traditional/community water bodies
• ✅ Surface Minor Irrigation Schemes for small landholders
• ✅ Groundwater Irrigation infra creation (wells, tube wells, pumps)
• ✅ Decentralized infrastructure under PMKSY (Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana)
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2️⃣ Analytical Insights
1. India's irrigation inequality is a serious productivity blocker — 52% of net sown area still depends on rainfall.
2. Har Khet Ko Pani (HKP) is focused on small landholders and localized water security, which is perfect for bottom-up startup models.
3. Unlike large dam-based schemes, HKP is nimble, funding low-cost, fast-track irrigation projects across thousands of villages.
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3️⃣ Who Benefits?
Target Group Support Provided
Marginal & Small Farmers Direct irrigation infrastructure on-farm or nearby
FPOs & Panchayats Canal desilting, waterbody repair grants
Groundwater Users Borewell, solar pump, drip system support
Civil Society / MSMEs Can apply for construction/rehab work via tenders
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4️⃣ Startup Opportunity Mapping
Startup Idea Problem It Solves Revenue Model
JalYug: GIS-based Waterbody Revival Tracker No visibility on RRR project impact Govt contracts + CSR dashboard
MiniDrip: Drip Kits for 1–2 Acre Holdings High-cost drip systems not viable for small plots PPP model via FPOs & NABARD
SmartFlow: Low-cost sensors for canal breach alerts Massive water loss due to unchecked flow Licensing to irrigation depts
BhuQuench: AI for groundwater recharge zone mapping Wasted funds on unscientific borewells Paid decision support for NGOs & Depts
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5️⃣ FOMO Triggers 🔔
• While startups chase drones and AI, they’re missing real rural revenue in this ₹10,000+ Cr ecosystem.
• Those who create measurable, transparent irrigation impact tools can become the go-to partners for District Irrigation Plans.
• Asset-light, tech-smart rural infra startups will be key to climate-proofing agriculture.
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6️⃣ Government Levers for Startups
Route How to Leverage
District Irrigation Plans (DIPs) Co-create or offer planning tech for Gram Panchayats
NABARD + PMKSY Convergence Channel finance via subsidy + FPO support model
Geo-tagging + Outcome Monitoring Offer remote audit solutions using AI/GIS
MGNREGA + RRR Linkage Partner to deliver labor-intensive rejuvenation works with digitized MIS
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7️⃣ Suggested Startup Actions
• 🛰 Build dashboards that show water body status pre/post restoration
• 💧 Offer affordable, modular irrigation kits bundled with financing
• 📱 Develop apps to mobilize water user associations with usage tracking
• 📍Pilot in Bundelkhand, Vidarbha, and Eastern UP – high-priority HKP districts
