MCAD Conference

 Workshop for creating the Framework for Modernised Command Area Development (MCAD) 

June 19-20, 2025, Hotel The Lalit, Delhi 

https://bit.ly/registration_MCAD_national_workshop

Introduction:  The Union Cabinet of India approved the Modernization of Command Area Development and Water Management (MCAD). The scheme aims for modernization of the irrigation water supply network to supply irrigation water from existing canals or other sources in a designated cluster. It will make robust backend infrastructure for micro-irrigation by farmers from established source to the farm gate upto 1 hectare (Ha) with underground pressurized piped irrigation. The use of supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA), Internet of things technology (IoT) will be used for water accounting and water management. This will increase the Water Use Efficiency (WUE) at the farm level, increase agriculture production & productivity; and thereby increase the income of farmers.

 The projects will be made sustainable by Irrigation Management Transfer (IMT) to the Water User Society (WUS) for management of irrigation assets. The WUSs will be given handholding support for linking them with existing Economic Entities like FPO or PACS for five years. The youth will also be attracted to farming, to adopt the modern method of irrigation. 

The initial approval is for taking up pilot projects all across India in various agroclimatic zones in the country by challenge-funding to the states. Based on the learnings in design and structuring of these projects, National Plan for Command Area Development and Water Management will be launched starting from April 2026 for the 16th Finance Commission period.

Background: The agricultural sector in India uses highest amount of water for irrigation, and efficient water management is critical to sustaining agricultural productivity, especially in the context of climate change. Command Area Development (CAD) is crucial to ensuring equitable water distribution, improving irrigation efficiency, and enhancing agricultural outcomes. However, managing large irrigation systems presents significant challenges, including:

1. Scaling up Water User Societies (WUS)
2. Establishing sustainable revenue generation mechanisms for WUS
3. Integrating WUS with Farmer Producer Organizations/ Companies (FPO/FPCs)
4. Adopting and implementing climate-smart agriculture practices
5. Developing new-generation institutional mechanisms to manage large organizations involving community participation

These challenges require robust institutional frameworks, technical expertise, and active community involvement. While there are successful examples of addressing these issues in certain regions of India and abroad, there is a pressing need for a comprehensive approach to implement these solutions on a larger scale. The key challenges shall be addressed while piloting across various agro-climatic zones under the MCAD program.

Workshop:

The Command Area Development-Water Management, Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS) in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), The Water Resources Group-2030 (WRG-2030), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and International Water Management Institute (IWMI), is organizing a Workshop on Modernization of the -Command Area Development Water Management (MCAD) program on 19-20 June 2025 at Hotel The Lalit, New Delhi. This consultative workshop aims to bring together a diverse group of stakeholders, including government officials, researchers and practitioners, to share innovative practices, brainstorm ideas, and develop an actionable agenda for addressing the above-mentioned challenges while piloting the modernized command area development and water management in India.

Objectives

1. Foundation Setting: Establish a common understanding of MCAD practices in India and lay the groundwork for their widespread adoption.
2. Knowledge Sharing: Present and discuss innovative practices and approaches from India and internationally, focusing on climate adaptation measures in irrigated command areas and water resources management.
3. Challenge Exploration: Identify and analyze the challenges of implementing MCAD at various levels, including state, sub-basin, and basin scales, to develop targeted projects and pilots.
4. Action Planning: Develop action plans for implementing MCAD practices across different regions of India.

Expected Outcomes

1. A comprehensive understanding of the current state of MCAD in India and its challenges at various levels.
2. Identification and documentation of best practices and innovative approaches from India and abroad.
3. Development of region-specific action plans for implementing MCAD practices.
4. Establishment of a network for knowledge sharing and collaboration among stakeholders.
5. Identification of potential areas for collaboration between multilateral, bilateral agencies in advancing MCAD practices and national program formulation.
6. Increased awareness and commitment to adopting sustainable practices in Modernized-Command Area Development and Water Management across India.

Workshop Structure

The workshop is designed to be interactive and participatory, featuring:

1. Keynote presentations to set the context and highlight priorities to implement M-CADWM pilots and subsequently implement national program.
2. Conduction of Thematic Sessions (Modules, M#) by Ministry of Jal Shakti, ADB, The World Bank WRG 2030, TCIL, FAO, IWMI and CNRI on:
   1. Module-1: Opening Session: Curtain Raiser on Modernization of Command Area Development and Water Management (MCAD).
   2. Module-2: Social, Legal and Institutional Aspects in MCAD
   3. Module-3: Economic Aspects in MCAD
   4. Module-4: Technical Designs for MCAD
   5. Module-5: Communication, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Information Technology (IT) in MCAD.
   6. Module-6: Water Accounting, Service Level Benchmarking, M&E, Capacity Building.
   7. Module-7: Financial Models, PPPs, and Community Finance Models in MCAD.
   8. Module-8: Development of Irrigation as a Service (IaaS) 
   9. Module-9: The Farm Level Intervention in MCAD