12/19/23, 3:09 PM The Issues of Micro-Irrigation Sector
Indian Economy UPPCS GS Foundation Live Online Course | 6 December Call Us
The Issues of Micro-Irrigation Sector
19 Nov 2021 7 min read
Tags: GS Paper - 3 Irrigation Modes of Irrigation Direct & Indirect Farm Subsidies
This article is based on “An SOS Call from the Indian Micro-Irrigation Industry” which was published in
Livemint on 19/11/2021. It talks about issues faced by the micro-irrigation industry.
Water is a scarce natural resource and the major requirement in the agricultural sector. The efficient use of
available water for irrigation is a major challenge. Technological innovations such as micro-irrigation play an
essential role in water-resource management.
Despite several benefits and widespread acknowledgement of the critical role of micro-irrigation in the
sustainability of Indian agriculture, the industry that provides the wherewithal for it, is currently struggling to
survive.
controls and bureaucratic delays in scheme enrolment, lack of field reviews and the delays in
Price
reimbursement of subsidies, etc, have pushed this industry to the brink of collapse despite its importance.
Water Availability & Micro-Irrigation in India
Declining Water Availability: India first entered the league of water-deficient
countries in 2011.
India’s per capita water availability is estimated at 1,428 kilolitres per year.
A nation with annual water availability of below 1,700 kilolitres per head is
considered water deficient.
It has one of the fastest shrinking water pools among G-20 economies.
About Micro-Irrigation: It is a modern method of irrigation by which water is irrigated
through drippers, sprinklers, foggers and by other emitters on the surface or
subsurface of the land.
Sprinkler irrigation and drip irrigation are the commonly used micro-irrigation
methods.
Significance of Micro-Irrigation:
[Link] 3/9
12/19/23, 3:09 PM The Issues of Micro-Irrigation Sector
UPPCS GS Foundation Live Online Course | 6 December Call Us
Micro-irrigation ensures water use efficiency as much as 50- 90%.
Water savings in comparison with flood irrigation are to the tune of 30-50%, with a
average of 32.3%.
Electricity consumption falls significantly.
Adoption of micro-irrigation results in savings on fertilizers.
Increase in the average productivity of fruits and vegetables.
It leads to overall enhancement of farmers’ income.
Challenges Faced by Micro-Irrigation Industry
Slower Adoption Pace for Drip Method of Irrigation (DMI): The Task Force on Micro-
Irrigation in India (2004) estimated India’s total drip irrigation potential stands at 27
million hectares.
However, the area under drip-irrigation accounts for a mere 4% of gross irrigated
area and about 15% of its total potential (2016-17).
Moreover, the adoption of DMI is also concentrated only in a few States.
Issues Associated to Irrigation-Related Schemes:
Irresponsibility by State Governments: In most Indian states (with Gujarat and
Tamil Nadu being the major exceptions), the scheme is operational only for a few
months in a year.
Despite the availability of funds, scheme applications are processed only at the
end of a financial year, done typically to achieve pre-set targets in what is
famously known as the ‘March rush’.
As a result of this narrow window, only a handful of farmers can apply.
Delays in the Reimbursement of Subsidies: Unlike other subsidies that are directly
transferred to beneficiaries, those for installing drip irrigation systems are
transferred to vendors only after due diligence.
There is no fixed timeline for the inspection and testing of the installed system
for transferring subsidies.
Financial Difficulties: The farmers often face difficulty in getting necessary support
[Link] 4/9
12/19/23, 3:09 PM The Issues of Micro-Irrigation Sector
from financial services.
UPPCS GS Foundation Live Online Course | 6 December Call Us
It was reported that a lower adoption rate for micro-irrigation was due to the
reduction in budget during the period 2013-16.
Availability of Power: The main input for an irrigation system is energy, and for large
scale projects, only electricity is a viable source which, despite having respective
welfare schemes in place, is still beyond the reach of every farmer.
Way Forward
Role of Administration: Setting a timeline for each stage, from an application by a
farmer to the execution and payment disbursement and strengthening the
government’s monitoring mechanism by insisting on a periodic review of applications
approvals, work orders and actual installations.
Deploying direct benefit transfers for subsidy sums for micro-irrigation to go
straight into the bank accounts of farmers.
Also, farmers should be made able to avail the benefits of such welfare schemes
in accordance with their crop cycles or sowing patterns.
Expanding the Scope of Micro-Irrigation: The capital cost required for the drip-
irrigation method should be brought down substantially.
A special subsidy programme may be introduced for water-intensive crops like
sugarcane, banana and vegetables.
A differential subsidy scheme for water-scarce and water-abundant areas can
also be introduced.
Currently, water from surface sources (dams, reservoirs, etc) is not used for DMI. A
share of water from each irrigation project can be allocated only for DMI.
Conclusion
The future revolution in agriculture will come from precision farming. Micro-irrigation can, indeed, be the
stepping stone for achieving the goal of making farming sustainable, profitable and productive.
However, ‘per drop more crop’ can only be achieved by deploying advanced and efficient irrigation technologies,
and these can only be developed if a wholesome business environment is ensured by eliminating delays,
discretion and red tape.
[Link] 5/9
12/19/23, 3:09 PM The Issues of Micro-Irrigation Sector
Drishti Mains Question
UPPCS GS Foundation Live Online Course | 6 December Call Us
Discuss the significance of micro-irrigation in sustainable agriculture and the steps that can be taken
empower the micro-irrigation sector of India.
Sponsored
India: Why Everyone Is Excited Over This Rs.1999 Smartwatch
CrossFit Learn More
The Top 25 Most Beautiful Women In The World
[Link]
34 Historical Photos We Had No Idea Existed
HeraldWeekly Read More
Pune : Want To Reduce Belly Fat?
Spike Tummy Trimmer Shop Now
Pictures of Susan Sarandon Leave Fans in Awe
DailyChoices Read More
The Most Shocking Crimes Committed by Celebrities
[Link]
Tell us what you think!
1 Response
This helped! Food for I still have Can do Spo
thought.. doubts! better.. somet
[Link] 6/9
