Challenges for India’s Irrigation Sector

Published: Dec 15, 2018

IRRIGATION
Challenges for India’s Irrigation Sector

The cropping pattern in flood irrigated regions is dominated by low value and high water requirement crops.
Photo: Gajraula, Uttar Pradesh

Abstract: Over dependence on groundwater poses a tough challenge to the agriculture sector, especially in water scarce regions and during dry spells. Measures such as precision farming, incentivising farmers for rational use of groundwater and imparting knowledge about recharge methods may be possible solutions.

The author is currently ICSSR National Fellow and a former Principal Economist, ICRISAT and Professor and Head, Department of Agricultural Economics, UAS, Bengaluru. nagaraj.nareppa@gmail.com.