GS3 · 10 marks · 150 words

The rainfed nature of India's agriculture makes it more susceptible to climate change. Highlight the importance of quality irrigation in the climate-adaptability of agriculture. What measures can be undertaken to improve the overall efficiency of the available irrigation practices in India?

Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2023–2025

Irrigation and WaterClimate ChangeCrops and Cropping Patterns

Syllabus: Major crops-cropping patterns in various parts of the country, - different types of irrigation and irrigation systems storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers.

How toppers approached it

From all 3 answers · about 160 words · 67% drew a diagram.

Opening

  • A figure2 of 3
  • No separate opening1 of 3

Body

  • Points2 of 3
  • Points and prose1 of 3

Close

  • A way forward2 of 3
  • A summary1 of 3

The toppers’ answers

Raghav JhunjhunwalaAIR 4 · CSE 2025 · 162 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening · a figure

As per min. of Agri; over 51% of India's cropped area is rainfed.

monsoon is called 'Real Finance minister'.

Body · points and prose

Diagram
susceptible to climate change - 1 -> Land Erosion; degradation leading to frequent droughts - 2 -> Intense Rainfall days & Flash Floods - 3 -> Inability to provide water soluble fertilizers

Importance of Quality Irrigation

  1. Increasing yield
  2. Upon assured irrigation, farmers could invest @ better HYV seeds etc.
  3. minimize crop losses ↳ (Farmer suicide ↓) (Demand for loan waiver ↓)
Diagram
Rice yield (tonne/ha) | | 4.9 | ---- | 2.6 | | | ----| | | | | | --+---+---- India China
  1. Ashok Gulati ↳ Rise in Public Expenditure @ Agri → crowds in Pvt. Expenditure

Improving Present Irrigation setup

currentDesired
1) Prevalence of ground water borewells (> 2 lakh cr. p.a. subsidy)1) Promoting micro Irrigation (Drip, Sprinkler, etc.)
2) lack of maintenance of canals, etc.2) Swaminathan co. recommended to improve IL.
3) Lack of rain harvesting3) Check dams, Bunds, etc.

Govt. vision : Krishi Sinchai Yojana (Har khet ko Paani) & (Per Drop, more crop)

Close · a way forward

Increasing collab with best performers like Israel and promoting ICAR, etc. is the way Ahead.

More on Irrigation and Water

Irrigation systems and their types, groundwater depletion, micro-irrigation, river linking, water-use efficiency in farming.

All GS3 questions on Irrigation and Water