Q7. What is water-use efficiency? Describe the role of micro-irrigation in increasing the water-use efficiency.

Model Answer:

Introduction

Water-use efficiency (WUE) refers to the ratio of crop yield to the amount of water used. It reflects how effectively water is utilized in agricultural production to optimize yields and conserve resources.  

Body

Role of Micro-Irrigation in Increasing Water-Use Efficiency:

1. Targeted Water Delivery: Micro-irrigation provides water directly to the plant roots, reducing evaporation and runoff, and enhancing water-use efficiency by minimizing waste and ensuring plants receive precise amounts.
2. Uniform Water Distribution: Drip and sprinkler systems ensure consistent water application across fields, reducing water stress and ensuring crops receive optimal moisture, improving both yield and resource efficiency.
3. Reduction in Water Loss: Micro-irrigation minimizes losses from evaporation, percolation, and runoff. These systems enable better control of water application, leading to a higher water-use efficiency compared to traditional methods.
4. Energy and Labor Savings: By automating irrigation, micro-irrigation systems reduce the need for manual labour and pumping energy, indirectly contributing to water conservation by reducing the energy required for water delivery.
5. Improved Fertilizer Use: Fertigation, a common practice in micro-irrigation, allows for the efficient application of fertilizers along with water, reducing nutrient losses and ensuring plants utilize water and nutrients more effectively. 

Measures to Improve Water-Use Efficiency:

1. Expansion of Micro-Irrigation Coverage: Expanding the use of micro-irrigation systems like drip and sprinkler across diverse regions ensures a wider impact on improving water-use efficiency, particularly in water-scarce areas.
2. Adoption of Smart Irrigation Technology: Promoting technologies like soil moisture sensors and automated irrigation systems ensures precise water delivery, enabling farmers to apply water only when necessary, and improving water-use efficiency.
3. Training and Awareness Programs: Providing farmers with education on water-saving techniques and micro-irrigation benefits helps improve adoption rates, enabling effective use of irrigation technologies for higher water-use efficiency.
4. Government Subsidies and Incentives: Financial support and incentives for adopting micro-irrigation systems will encourage farmers to transition from traditional flood irrigation, ensuring better water management and increased efficiency.
5. Integrated Water Resource Management: Coordinated efforts at the watershed level, focusing on efficient water harvesting, storage, and distribution, can enhance overall agricultural water-use efficiency, especially when coupled with micro-irrigation systems. 

Conclusion

Enhancing water-use efficiency through micro-irrigation is vital for sustainable agriculture in water-scarce regions. With smart irrigation practices and policy support, India can better manage its water resources for agricultural growth. 

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