Economic Survey suggests shift to irrigation water productivity

Amidst rapidly depleting groundwater and increasing water scarcity, the Economic Survey 2018-19 has suggested that focus should shift from 'land productivity' to 'irrigation water productivity'. Devising policies to incentivise farmers to improve water use should become a national priority and thrust should be on micro-irrigation that can improve water use efficiency.

The Economic Survey has proposed policy changes which include increasing Irrigation Water Productivity (IWP) by adopting improved methods of irrigation and irrigation technologies, increasing sustainability through organic and natural farming, economizing the use of fertilizers and pesticides, improving infrastructure and access to markets and adopting appropriate technology for smallholder farm.

Further, the Survey has suggested a combination of resource efficient method, dynamic cropping patterns, climate change responsive farming and intensive use of ICT should form the backbone of farming in India.

Such measures are needed especially when the Asian Water Development Outlook, 2016 has said that almost 89% of groundwater in India extracted is used for irrigation. There is a major concern whether the present practice of groundwater use can be sustained as the depth of groundwater level continues to drop. The cropping pattern in India is highly skewed towards crops that are water intensive. Furthermore, the incentive structure like MSP, heavily subsidized electricity, water and fertilizer have played a significant role in the misalignment of crop pattern, the Economic Survey added.

However, South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People (SANDRP) associate coordinator told DNA,'' When the government expects irrigation efficiency from the farmers, it needs to be seen the dam performance and water supply efficiency by the government.''

Further, the Survey has made a strong case for the promotion of neem coated urea, promotion of micronutrients, promotion of organic fertilizers and promotion of water-soluble fertilisers. For a safe and food secured future, the agriculture sector has to undergo a tremendous transformation from the philosophy of 'green revolution' led productivity to 'green method' led sustainability.

Planning Commission's former member BL Mungekar admitted that increasing the productivity or irrigation and water use is a necessity when irrigation facilities are uneven in different parts of the country. In such cases the government will have to evolve a comprehensive drought aversion policy at the national level as one-third of the country is periodically drought prone.

''Therefore, reasonable and due access to irrigation water to the marginal and small farmers is important as it will lead to the economical use of water and make farming partially sustainable,'' Mungekar noted.