GS Paper 3
Syllabus: Climate Change and Agriculture
Source: IE
Context: The article discusses India’s progress in food security and its water usage in agriculture
India’s food production improvements:
- Exports Surge: India exported 85 million tonnes of cereals, including staples like rice, wheat, and corn, from 2020 to 2023.
- Domestic Support: The PM Garib Kalyan Yojana provided free rice or wheat to over 800 million people, demonstrating the country’s ability to support its population while being a major exporter.
- Milk Production Growth: India’s milk production increased from 17 MT in 1951 to 222 MT in 2022-23, making it the world’s largest milk producer.
- Diversified Production: India has witnessed rapid growth in poultry and fishery sectors since the 2000s, signifying a shift beyond traditional staples into what’s known as the pink (poultry) and blue (fishery) revolutions.
How India Uses Water for Agriculture?
| Aspect | Description |
| Agricultural Dependency | India, with 18% of the world’s population, only possesses 4% of its freshwater resources. |
| India’s heavy reliance on water for agriculture is evident, with estimates varying from 78% to 90% of water usage for farming | |
| Irrigation Status | Currently, approximately 50% of India’s gross cropped area is irrigated, with plans to increase this to 75% to manage climate-related uncertainties. |
| Inefficient usage of water | Groundwater is the primary source of irrigation. Various subsidies and incentives are given to support it. However, it has led to over-exploitation of water, especially in the north-west region. |
| Economic Constraints | Extensive subsidies, including food and fertilizers, make it challenging to invest in water management. |
| Two Crops use maximum water | As per a NABARD-ICRIER study on Water Productivity Mapping; Rice and Sugarcane alone consume almost 60 % of India’s irrigation water
|
What should be India’s Water Strategy for Agriculture?
| Strategy | Description |
| Buffer Stocking | Enhance water storage during the monsoon season in reservoirs. |
| Water-smart technologies | Like micro-irrigation, cover-crop method, deficit irrigation, precision estimation of crop water needs, etc. |
| Monetary Rewards | Offering financial incentives to farmers who save water and power can drive the transition to less water-intensive crops. E.g., the Punjab government’s ‘Pani Bachao, Paisa Kamao’ |
| The article emphasizes the need to reward farmers for switching from water-intensive crops like paddy and sugarcane to less water-intensive crops like millets, pulses, and oilseeds | |
| Groundwater Recharge | Focus on recharging groundwater through check dams and watersheds. |
| Demand Management | Promote rational water allocation and efficient usage across crops. |
| Institutional Reforms | Implement reforms in the irrigation sector, including water and power pricing. |
| Increase Irrigated Land | Aim to irrigate at least 75% of the gross cropped area to cope with climate uncertainties. |
| Private Investment | Address the challenge of attracting private investments in water infrastructure by considering pricing. |
| Shift Focus | Prioritize water productivity, as exemplified in Punjab where rice has high land productivity but low water productivity. |
| Promote Water-Saving Practices | Encourage farming practices that save water, such as direct seeded rice (DSR), alternate wet and dry (AWD) irrigation, zero till, and drip irrigation for sugarcane. |
| Private Sector Investments | Attract private sector investments in reservoirs and canal networks to improve water infrastructure. Public-private partnerships can help fund these projects |
Case Study:
Israel’s Water Management: Israel excels in water technology, including drip systems, desalination, and wastewater recycling, which could benefit Indian agriculture with the right political commitment.
Click Here For Regenerative agriculture: A step towards water conservation
Government Efforts in Agriculture:
| Government Efforts | Description |
| National Mission of Sustainable Agriculture | Launched in 2010 to promote responsible resource management. |
| Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) | Introduced in 2015 to encourage micro/drip irrigation for water conservation. |
| Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana | Implemented to leverage climate-smart farming practices and technologies. |
| Green India Mission | Launched in 2014 to protect and restore forest covers, combating climate change. |
| Neem-Coated Urea | Introduced to reduce excess use of urea fertilizers and protect soil health. |
| National Project on Organic Farming and National Agroforestry Policy | Promote organic farming and agroforestry for ecological and economic benefits. |
| State-level Organic Farming Initiatives | States like Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and Sikkim promote organic farming. |
| ICAR Climate-Resilient Villages | Establishing climate-resilient villages in 151 districts to build carbon-positive communities. |
Insta Links:
Mains Links:
Elaborate on the impact of the National Watershed Project in increasing agricultural production from water-stressed areas. (UPSC 2019)
How and to what extent would micro-irrigation help in solving India’s water crisis? (UPSC 2021)
Prelims Link:
Among the following, which one is the least water-efficient crop? (UPSC 2021)
(a) Sugarcane
(b) Sunflower
© Pearl Millet
(d) Red gram
Answer: A
