GS3 · 15 marks · 250 words

Do you think there is a need for a shift from 'land productivity' to 'irrigation water productivity' in India? Justify your answer. What are the challenges in making this shift? Explain.

Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2023–2025

Irrigation and WaterCrops and Cropping PatternsAgri-technologySubsidies and MSP

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 4 answers · about 250 words · 25% drew a diagram.

Opening

  • A figure2 of 4
  • A definition1 of 4
  • No separate opening1 of 4

Body

  • Points3 of 4
  • Points and prose1 of 4

Close

  • A way forward2 of 4
  • No separate close1 of 4
  • A summary1 of 4

The toppers’ answers

Animesh PradhanAIR 2 · CSE 2023 · 194 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening · a figure

With low land productivity, small land holding size (average 1.08 hectare) and net irrigated area under 49% of net sown area, India needs to improve the 'irrigation water productivity'.

Need to shift from 'land productivity' to irrigation water productivity :-

Body · points and prose

  1. Vaidyanath Committee reports suggest that water availability for irrigation is unevenly distributed leading to low water productivity.

  2. Efficiency in water usage - With schemes like PMKSY and 'More crop per drop' stresses on the judicious use of water as per capita water has dwindled from 6000 m³/person (1947) to 1340 m³/person in 2020.

  3. Ground water depletion - 5th Irrigation census notes 63% decline in ground water from 2007 to 2017 necessitating judicious use.

  4. Menace of subsidy - No control and legislation on water productivity has led to exploitation of electricity subsidy.

  5. Greenhouse gas emissions - carbon emissions need to be controlled with judicious use of pumps, motors and water resources.

  6. CH₄ emissions - Agriculture as one of the prime source of methane emission, waterlogging in rice/sugarcane releases more toxic emissions.

Diagram
Challenges in making the shift - Heavy dependence on water intensive crops (78% rice-wheat out of all grains) - Agri export bracket filled with rice & sugarcane (1kg rice requiring 3500 litre, 1kg sugarcane - 2500 litre water) - Small land holding (86% farmers marginal farmers) - low scope of productivity - low capital support (30% credit from non-institutional sources) - Populist policies of electricity subsidy
Diagram
Way Forward - Focus on production of crops like millets - Mihir sen Committee recommendations on effective water policy - Micro irrigation Infrastructure fund - International Cooperation from Israel (Netafim corporation) - Traditional methods - Ahar Pyne (Bihar) & Cascade tanks (Tamil Nadu)

Close · a summary

Hence, not just doubling the income should be the goal, but sustainability & productivity must also be addressed.

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