Assured Irrigation

Assured Irrigation

News: In 2022-23, of the 210 million hectares of gross sown area, about 115 million hectares (55%), had irrigation access, up from 47.8% in 2013-14, according to staterun think-tank Niti Aayog member Ramesh Chand.

What is assured irrigation?
 Assured irrigation refers to the provision of reliable and guaranteed water supply for agricultural purposes. It includes canals, drip irrigation, sprinklers, and other methods that efficiently deliver water to crops.
 It ensures that cultivated land has access to a sufficient and regular water source, reducing dependence on rainfall and minimizing the risk of crop failure due to water scarcity.

What are factors that augment assured Irrigation in India?
 Expansion of land under agriculture, especially in the dryland farm zones of Telangana, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka.
 Increased provision of micro-irrigation facilities such as sprinklers, drip irrigation systems. They provide for efficient utilization of water.
 Several government initiatives such as Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, Har Khat Ko Paani, Micro irrigation Fund (created by NABARD) and Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Program.
 Above mentioned government initiatives have focused on creating sources for assured irrigation, reducing water wastage, and improving water use efficiency. It has facilitated the construction of small-scale irrigation structures like check dams, farm ponds, and percolation tanks to capture and store rainwater.

Limitations:
 About 40% of the cultivable area will still depend on rainfall due to geographical and hydrological limitations.
 Over-dependence on groundwater has led to the depletion of the water table in 64% district of India
 Uneven rainfall distribution and the increasing gap between created and utilized irrigation potential.

Way Forward
 Assured irrigation plays a crucial role in reducing dependence on rainfall, improving water use efficiency, and enhancing agricultural productivity.
 Support towards assured irrigation will help in sustainable agriculture and mitigate the impact of water scarcity on crop production in India.
Source – Hindustan Times