Subject: Irrigation

India has 18% of the world’s population but only 4% of the freshwater resources. As per NITI Aayog “Composite Water Management Index”, 60 Cr people are experiencing high to extreme water stress.

~85% of India’s freshwater is used in agriculture (FAO).

Groundwater depletion:

1,006 blocks are over-exploited or critical (CGWB, 2023).

Punjab and Haryana – ~1 metre annual groundwater decline.

Per capita water availability fell from 1,820 m³ (2001)1,486 m³ (2025).

“Day Zero” in cities like Chennai, Bengaluru, and Shimla

By 2030, water demand could outstrip supply by twofold. (NITI Aayog)

21 cities could exhaust groundwater by 2030. (NITI Aayog)

The World Resources Institute ranks India 13th among the 17 most water-stressed nations globally

2024 Annual Groundwater Quality Report – that 70% of India’s water sources are contaminated

World Bank projects that climate-induced water scarcity could reduce India’s GDP by up to 12% by 2050

Measures to improve water management

Enhancing Water Storage Infrastructure

Renovation Traditional Water Bodies – Example: Mission Kakatiya (Telangana) and Kudimaramath (Tamil Nadu).

Farm-Level Storage – Promote farm ponds, percolation tanks, check dams, and contour bunds through MGNREGA. Eg- jalyukta Shivar of Maharashtra

Rainwater Harvesting – Mandatory rooftop harvesting in water-stressed cities. Eg- Chennai Model

Interlinking of Rivers – Eg- Projects like Ken-Betwa Link can ease water shortages in Bundelkhand.

Use recharge wells to replenish aquifers through Atal Bhujal Yojana

Dam Modernisation to enhance water storage capacity

Improving Irrigation Efficiency

Micro-Irrigation Expansion through PMKSY-PDMC. Eg- Drip saves 30-50% water; sprinkler saves 25-35%.

Canal Modernisation- Improves efficiency from .

Precision Farming – Use of sensors, fertigation, controlled irrigation for sustainable agriculture and optimal water use.

Remote Sensing & GIS for Water Accounting – Monitor aquifers, rainfall-runoff, and canal leakages.

Increase Capital Investment in Irrigation Systems and Fast-track AIBP projects

Strengthening Community-Led Measures – Eg- Pani Panchayats in Odisha.

Demand-Side Management

Crop Diversification – Shift from water-intensive crops (paddy, sugarcane) to millets, pulses, oilseeds, horticulture. Example: Haryana’s Mera Pani Meri Virasat.

Water Budgeting at Village Level through Gram Sabhas. Eg- Pani Foundation villages in Maharashtra.

Water Pricing – Rational, volumetric pricing to reduce wastage.

Water Users Associations (WUAs) – Participatory Irrigation Management for equitable distribution and canal maintenance.

Incentivise Water Saving – Eg- Punjab’s Pani Bachao Paise Kamao for reducing groundwater usage.

Implementing Mihir Shah Committee recommendations of One Water Approach by merging CGWB and CWC into a National Water Commission (NWC) is essential to achieve a water-secure economy.

The agriculture sector utilizes approximately 78% of India’s total usable water resources. However, 45% of agricultural land is rainfed.

Major challenges faced by Indian Irrigation system

P – Political Factors

Political populism – Eg- power and irrigation subsidies in Punjab

Inter-State Water Disputes – Conflicts such as the Cauvery Water Dispute and the Satluj Yamuna Link Canal hinder efficient water distribution and irrigation planning.

Prioritization of Large-Scale Projects – Political support often favors large-scale projects that benefit influential farmers and regions.

E – Economic Factors

Declining Public Investment since the 1980s, with a shift toward input subsidies rather than capital investment. (Economic Survey)

High Cost of Irrigation Infrastructure

85% farmers have <2 ha, making modern irrigation systems uneconomical

S – Social Factors

Weak Water Users Associations (WUAs) – lack capacity and resources.

Uneven Irrigation Distribution – Northern & coastal regions have better irrigation, while central and western India suffer inadequate supply.

T – Technological Factors

Low Water Use Efficiency (WUE) – Flood irrigation (~70%) leads to evaporation, runoff, and seepage losses.

Aging & Poorly Maintained Canal Systems – Unlined canals cause 40-50% seepage losses.

Low adoption of technology – Eg- micro-irrigation covers only 7.6% of the net sown area

L – Legal / Governance Factors

Weak Enforcement of Water Governance Rules (Mihir Shah Committee)

E – Environmental Factors

Groundwater Depletion – Eg- Punjab’s water table declines by ~1 meter annually.

Poor drainage leads to salinization and reduced soil fertility, especially in canal-irrigated regions.

Climate Change Impact – Eg- glacial retreat in the Himalayas threatens long-term river flows.

Government Measures for Efficient Irrigation Management

PM Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) – Promotes micro-irrigation (drip/sprinkler) through subsidies.

Components: Har Khet Ko Pani, Per Drop More Crop, Watershed Development.

Micro-Irrigation Fund (NABARD) – Dedicated fund of to expand drip and sprinkler systems.

Atal Bhujal Yojana (Atal Jal) – Focus on groundwater management in water-stressed districts through community participation.

Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) – Financial assistance for completion of long-pending major and medium irrigation projects.

Participatory Irrigation Management (PIM) by strengthening Water Users Associations (WUAs).

Bureau of Water Use Efficiency under Ministry of Jal Shakti – To improve water use efficiency by 20%

State level initiatives

Mission Kakatiya, Telangana – Restoration of 46,531 minor irrigation tanks

Jalyukt Shivar Abhiyan, Maharashtra – watershed development, farm ponds, desilting of streams.

Crop Diversification Initiatives

Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH)

Increase in MSP for Pulses and Millets. Eg- 60% for Ragi

PM KUSUM: Promotes the use of solar-powered pumps for micro-irrigation

Timely and efficient implementations of government programmes is essential for achieving equitable, efficient and sustainable irrigation management. (“Vision for Sujalam Bharat”)