Q.13. What are the major challenges faced by Indian irrigation system in recent times? State the measures taken by the government for efficient irrigation management. [UPSC 2024 GS P-3]

The Indian irrigation system has played a crucial role in enhancing agricultural productivity and ensuring food security. However, it faces several challenges that affect its efficiency and sustainability. These challenges are exacerbated by climate change, population growth, and unsustainable water management practices.

Major Challenges Faced by the Indian Irrigation System:

1. Water Scarcity:
   • India is facing increasing water stress due to over-extraction of groundwater and surface water for agricultural purposes. Many parts of the country, particularly in northern and western India, are experiencing a depletion of groundwater levels.
   • Over 60% of irrigation in India is dependent on groundwater, leading to unsustainable usage and declining water tables.
2. Inefficient Water Use:
   • Traditional irrigation methods like flood irrigation result in high water wastage due to evaporation, seepage, and runoff. This inefficiency in water usage depletes water resources, especially in water-scarce regions.
   • Lack of modernization in irrigation techniques means water use per unit of crop production is much higher than global standards.
3. Regional Imbalance:
   • There is an uneven distribution of irrigation infrastructure across different regions of India. States like Punjab and Haryana have a highly developed irrigation system, while states in eastern and central India, like Odisha and Chhattisgarh, have relatively lower access to irrigation facilities.
   • This regional imbalance affects agricultural productivity and creates disparities in rural development.
4. Aging Infrastructure:
   • Many of India’s irrigation canals, dams, and reservoirs are old and require significant repairs or upgrades. Poor maintenance leads to inefficiencies in water distribution and management, causing losses and reducing the effectiveness of the system.
   • The water conveyance systems, especially canals, face siltation and breaches, reducing their capacity to carry water to fields.
5. Climate Change:
   • Climate change is exacerbating the water availability problem by causing irregular and extreme weather patterns such as droughts, floods, and erratic rainfall. This has a direct impact on the availability of water for irrigation.
   • Increased frequency of droughts in regions dependent on rain-fed agriculture has heightened the vulnerability of farming communities.
6. Inadequate Use of Micro-Irrigation:
   • Despite the potential benefits of drip irrigation and sprinkler irrigation systems in improving water-use efficiency, their adoption remains low in many parts of India, primarily due to high installation costs, lack of awareness, and inadequate government support.
7. Fragmented Land Holdings:
   • India’s small and fragmented landholdings present a challenge to efficient irrigation management. Small farmers often lack the resources and technology to implement modern irrigation systems, leading to inefficient water use.
8. Overdependence on Monsoons:
   • While irrigation infrastructure has expanded, a significant part of India’s agriculture still remains monsoon-dependent, making the agricultural output vulnerable to variability in rainfall patterns.

Measures Taken by the Government for Efficient Irrigation Management:

To address these challenges, the Indian government has initiated several schemes and policies aimed at improving the efficiency and sustainability of the irrigation system. Key measures include:

1. Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY):
   • Launched in 2015, PMKSY aims to achieve “Har Khet Ko Pani” (Water for Every Field) by enhancing water-use efficiency through proper irrigation infrastructure and micro-irrigation techniques.
   • Key components of the scheme:
     • Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP): Focuses on completing long-pending irrigation projects to increase irrigation coverage.
     • Per Drop More Crop: Promotes the use of micro-irrigation systems like drip and sprinkler irrigation to improve water efficiency.
     • Watershed Development: Focuses on improving soil and moisture conservation practices in rain-fed areas.
2. Micro-Irrigation Fund (MIF):
   • The government established the Micro Irrigation Fund with an initial corpus of ₹5,000 crore to encourage the adoption of drip and sprinkler irrigation systems. These methods reduce water wastage and ensure better crop productivity by delivering water directly to plant roots.
3. National Water Mission:
   • As part of the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), the National Water Mission aims to improve water-use efficiency across sectors, including agriculture. It promotes integrated water resource management and encourages states to adopt rainwater harvesting and water conservation techniques.
4. Atal Bhujal Yojana:
   • Launched in 2020, this scheme aims to improve groundwater management through community participation. It targets critical areas where groundwater levels are rapidly depleting and encourages sustainable water use practices in agriculture.
   • The scheme promotes practices like crop diversification and water-saving technologies to reduce dependence on groundwater.
5. Command Area Development and Water Management Programme (CADWM):
   • The CADWM program focuses on improving water-use efficiency in command areas of irrigation projects by implementing better water distribution systems, promoting field channels, and encouraging the lining of canals to reduce seepage losses.
6. Jal Shakti Abhiyan:
   • Launched in 2019, this is a time-bound campaign aimed at water conservation in water-stressed regions. It emphasizes rainwater harvesting, reuse of treated water, and the adoption of drip irrigation in agriculture.
7. Watershed Management and Rainwater Harvesting:
   • The government is focusing on developing watershed management programs to ensure soil and water conservation, especially in rain-fed areas. These programs promote practices like contour bunding, check dams, and rainwater harvesting to enhance groundwater recharge and reduce water runoff.
8. Repair, Renovation, and Restoration of Water Bodies:
   • Under various schemes like the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), water bodies such as ponds, tanks, and lakes are being restored to increase water storage capacity and reduce dependency on monsoons.
9. Encouraging Crop Diversification:
   • To reduce the pressure on water-intensive crops like rice and sugarcane, the government promotes crop diversification by encouraging the cultivation of less water-intensive crops, which can help in reducing water consumption in agriculture.
10. River Linking Projects:
    • The National Perspective Plan for Interlinking of Rivers aims to transfer water from water-surplus basins to water-deficit regions to address the issue of uneven water distribution in India. This project, though controversial, is designed to reduce water scarcity in drought-prone areas.

Conclusion:

The Indian irrigation system faces significant challenges, including water scarcity, inefficient usage, and the effects of climate change. The government has launched several programs like PMKSY, Atal Bhujal Yojana, and Micro Irrigation Fund to address these challenges and improve irrigation management. Continued focus on modernization, efficient water use, and community-driven approaches will be critical to ensuring the long-term sustainability and productivity of India’s irrigation system.