UPSC 2021 Mains GS3 Model Answer -How and to what extent would micro-irrigation help in solving India’s water crisis?

Model Answer:

Micro-irrigation, which includes techniques like drip and sprinkler irrigation, offers a promising solution to improve water use efficiency in agriculture and help mitigate India's water scarcity issues. 

The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development reports that micro-irrigation has the potential to save about 269 billion cubic meters of water annually in India.

Micro-irrigation can significantly contribute to solving India's water crisis in the following ways.

Water Use Efficiency: Delivers water directly to the root zone of plants, reducing evaporation and runoff. It can achieve water use efficiency of up to 90%, compared to 30-40% for conventional flood irrigation. 

Increased Crop Yield: Studies by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) indicate that micro-irrigation can increase crop yields by 20-30% due to better water management and nutrient delivery.

Reduce dependence on monsoon: It can help reduce over-dependence on monsoon and vulnerability to drought. For example, less than 50% of agriculture is irrigated at present. 

Energy Savings: Micro-irrigation systems require less pumping, leading to energy savings. The Central Water Commission estimates that a shift to micro-irrigation could save about 87 billion kWh of electricity annually.

Despite its potential, micro-irrigation adoption in India remains limited. According to the Ministry of Jal Shakti (2022), only about 10% of India's net irrigated area is under micro-irrigation. 

Challenges 

• High upfront costs: The initial investment required for micro-irrigation systems can be prohibitive for small and marginal farmers, who constitute a majority of the farming community in India.
• Technical knowledge and maintenance: Micro-irrigation systems require technical knowledge for installation, operation, and maintenance, which may be lacking among farmers.
• Suitability to all crops and regions: Micro-irrigation may not be suitable for all crops or regions, limiting its universal applicability.
• Water Quality Issues: Poor water quality can lead to clogging of drippers and sprinklers, reducing the efficiency of the system.

Micro-irrigation has significant potential to address India's water crisis by improving water use efficiency in agriculture. A comprehensive approach involving government support, farmer education, and technological improvements is necessary to fully leverage the benefits of micro-irrigation in solving India's water crisis

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