• UGI USER
  • Oct 16, 2023
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Keep water at the centre

Minimizing climate risk in agriculture will require rewarding farmers to switch from irrigation-heavy crops like paddy and sugarcane to less water-intensive crops like millets, pulses, and oilseeds. Keep water at the center

Relevance

  • GS Paper 3 Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
  • Tags: #sustainable #agriculture #watercrisis  #currentaffairs #upsc.

Why in the News?

Recently, the Minister of State for Jal Shakti, provided valuable insights into India’s water resource management strategies and conservation efforts.

Minimizing climate risk in agriculture is a pressing challenge, and at its core, water management is key. It is important to delve into the need for a paradigm shift in agricultural practices, emphasizing the centrality of water. To mitigate climate risks, India must encourage farmers to transition from water-intensive crops like paddy and sugarcane to less demanding alternatives such as millets, pulses, and oilseeds.

Balancing the Water Equation

Reservoir Management and Groundwater Recharge

  • To tackle climate risks effectively, a two-pronged approach is necessary. Firstly, it’s imperative to manage reservoirs efficiently during the monsoon season, maintaining water levels to ensure availability in dry periods.
  • Additionally, groundwater must be replenished through check dams and watersheds, thus enhancing long-term water security.

Rational Allocation and Efficient Water Use

  • On the demand side, efforts are needed to allocate and utilize water more rationally across different crops.
  • This involves institutional reforms in the Indian irrigation sector and reconsideration of water and power pricing for irrigation.
  • While nearly half of India’s gross cropped area is irrigated, this figure must increase to at least 75% to combat climate change-related weather uncertainties.
  • Nevertheless, the absence of private sector investments in reservoirs and canals, coupled with reluctance to charge for groundwater irrigation power, hinders progress. The result is that Indian agriculture remains highly vulnerable in the face of climate change.

A Paradigm Shift: Water Productivity

  • To minimize climate risk, a fundamental shift in perspective is required, shifting the focus from land productivity to water productivity.
  • Instead of assessing crops solely in terms of yield per hectare, we should consider kg of grain produced per cubic meter of irrigation water. This approach exposes inefficiencies in water allocation and utilization in agriculture.

Punjab’s Inefficiency

  • For example, in one study at the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) on water productivity of ten major crops across their primary districts of cultivation, it was discovered that Punjab, while excelling in land productivity for rice, exhibited the lowest irrigation water productivity.
  • This highlights Punjab’s inefficiency in terms of water usage. To compound the issue, Punjab also emits excessive levels of carbon emissions (CO2eq) due to its almost 5 tonnes/ha of paddy cultivation.

Revamping Policies and Practices

This situation necessitates a comprehensive reevaluation of policies, farming techniques, and crop choices, all of which should place water at the forefront of agricultural planning.

Rewarding Sustainable Choices

  • One innovative solution could be to reward farmers for transitioning from water-intensive crops, such as paddy and sugarcane, to more sustainable alternatives like millets, pulses, and oilseeds.
  • Initiating a system of ‘green water credits’ could incentivize this shift. In the case of Punjab, the subsidy provided for power and fertilizers in paddy cultivation amounts to approximately Rs 30,000/ha.
  • Redirecting this financial support to farmers willing to cultivate less water-intensive crops would create a level playing field across different crops, benefiting both the environment and nutrition.
  • This move also has the potential to safeguard Punjab from a looming water crisis, as nearly 78% of its blocks are already over-exploiting groundwater.

Efficient Farming Practices 

  • In addition to crop choice, promoting water-saving farming practices is essential. Techniques like direct-seeded rice (DSR), alternate wet and dry (AWD) irrigation, and zero till farming should be encouraged and rewarded for their water-saving potential.
  • Drip irrigation, particularly in sugarcane cultivation, stands out as a practice that can conserve up to half of the water typically used.

Ultimately, sustainable food security hinges on efficient water usage. Minimizing climate risk in agriculture demands a fundamental shift in our approach. It is imperative to prioritize water productivity over land productivity and incentivize responsible water management. By placing water at the center of agricultural policies, practices, and products, India can better cope with the challenges posed by climate change and ensure a more secure and sustainable future for its agricultural sector.

Direct-Seeded Rice (DSR)

  • Method: DSR is a rice cultivation technique where rice seeds are directly sown into the field without the traditional step of raising nursery seedlings.
  • Water Efficiency: DSR reduces water usage compared to traditional transplanting methods, as it eliminates the need for water-intensive nurseries.
  • Time and Labor Savings: It saves time and labor associated with transplanting, making the rice cultivation process more efficient.
  • Weed and Pest Management: DSR may require more effective weed and pest management since the rice plants are not initially established in a nursery.

Alternate Wet and Dry (AWD) Irrigation

  • Method: AWD is an irrigation technique where the rice field is alternated between periods of flooding (wet) and non-flooding (dry).
  • Water Conservation: AWD helps conserve water by reducing continuous flooding, which is common in conventional rice farming.
  • Methane Emission Reduction: AWD can reduce methane emissions from rice paddies, contributing to lower greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Yield Maintenance: When properly managed, AWD can maintain or even improve rice yields while saving water.

Zero Till Farming

  • Method: Zero till farming involves planting crops without tilling or disturbing the soil through plowing or other traditional practices.
  • Soil Conservation: Zero till farming helps protect the topsoil from erosion and degradation, enhancing soil health and structure.
  • Water Conservation: By leaving the soil undisturbed, zero till farming reduces water runoff and enhances water retention in the soil.
  • Labor and Fuel Savings: It reduces the need for labor and fuel associated with traditional soil preparation methods.
  • Crop Residue Management: Zero till farming often involves leaving previous crop residues on the field, which can improve organic matter content and nutrient retention in the soil.

Sources: Indian Express

Mains Question

“India’s agriculture sector faces significant climate risks, necessitating a paradigm shift in its approach to water management. Discuss the key challenges and potential strategies to minimize climate risk in agriculture by prioritizing water productivity over land productivity.