Irrigation Priyank Tiwari Iim Indore

IRRIGATION – New Solutions for a New Century

-Priyank Tiwari

Basic Facts • Agriculture contributes about 16.6 % of GDP • 60 % of population still lives in villages • Approx 54 % of total arable land in India is under irrigation • India is a dominant producer (among the top 3) of wheat,rice,sugar,tobacco,tea, coconuts just to name a few • India’s yield for majority of agricultural products is significantly less than other countries

Problem • Fragmented land holding- lower labour productivity and make modern mechanized farming unviable • Large percentage (roughly 47 %) of area still dependent on rainfall which is erratic and seasonal • Climate change can wreck havoc on agricultural productivity • Since the green revolution, agricultural productivity has more or less remained stagnant • Agricultural subsidies like free power have resulted in over pumping of ground water • Ground water has receded at an alarming rate of about 1 foot/year for the past decade

Solution • Use of drip irrigation • Use of solar pumps in place of electric pumps • Batteries used in solar pumps can be put to alternative use for lighting etc. • In northern plains where already extensive canal system is present, we’ll use them for developing fisheries • Liquid fertilizers would be used for better absorption( in less quantity )

Implementation • In Deccan plateau and southern states we’ll use rainwater harvesting techniques • Groups of villagers would be involved in the process given responsibility for development and maintenance of system • Initial credit may be arranged either from govt. support or can be received on credit from NABARD and other banks • In Northern parts, apart from the above we’ll also develop fisheries in the canals and proceeds would be transferred to the group • Again initial financial support would be arranged either from govt. or from banks • System will have local, community checks and balances and govt. intervention would be kept as little as possible

Affordability • A acre of land would require an initial investment of about 20-25 K • Running and maintenance cost would be around 5001000/year ( Very little electricity costs because of solar pump) • Since we are proposing community participation and solution, incremental costs are likely to be less than 10 k/ acre • Presently power is free for majority of farmers, but they use diesel pumps during power cuts • This should breakeven in less than a year because of less running costs and increased productivity due to irrigation and better absorption of fertilizers( quantity would reduce)

Sustainability • Groups, and not individuals would be made owner of the scheme • Funds would be lent and income distributed to the groups • Solar powered batteries would be used for lighting in the houses, when idle on rotation basis in the group • Group formation would be local, voluntary and preferably of people having adjoining agricultural lands

Cost Benefit • Drip irrigation (Solar Pumps) and rainwater harvesting would be encouraged throughout the country • In North India- Use of canals for fisheries and other marine life • Govt electricity and fertilizer subsidy bill would go down drastically • Agricultural productivity would improve and better match of natural resources ( land, water etc) to crops produced would be achieved • Food production and rural income is likely to go up substantially • Since ownership is community based, benefits would be evenly distributed • Significantly decrease the number of land and irrigation related disputes

Road Map • Initially groups would be formed and systems installed with financial support as discussed earlier • After 2-3 years, we would pass on the maintenance of govt canals to these groups (with training) – More cost effective and practical • Govt and research bodies would advise these groups on most suitable crops, pricing, use of fertilizers and likely rainfall and other relevant issues • If profits come on expected lines, the groups can be supported to move up the value chain into agro-based processing industry

References • • • • • • • • • • •

Wikipedia.org Web.worldbank.org http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090812143938.htm http://www.livemint.com/2007/09/20004802/Village-Diary-The-water-lotte.html http://www.indianfarmers.org/ http://www.indianfarmers.org/news_singlepage/Advantage_harvest_articles.html http://www.indianfarmers.org/news_singlepage/Advantage_harvest_articles.html http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/11/jargon-watch-climate-fit-climate-weaknation.php http://www.oxfam.org/en/search/node/sustainable+agriculture http://www.oxfam.org/en/search/node/sustainable+agriculture http://news.google.com/news/search?pz=1&cf=all&ned=in&hl=en&q=sustainable +irrigation+in+india&cf=all&start=20