MICRO-IRRIGATION AN INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY- ITS

IMPORTANCE, CHALLENGES & PRESENT SCENERIO IN INDIA

By
SHIV KUMAR SHARMA, DIRECTOR1 MAYANK SUHIRID, DEPUTY DIRECTOR2
1
M&A Directorate, IBO, Central Water Commission, Chandigarh (U.T)
<[email protected]>
2
M&A Directorate, IBO, Central Water Commission Faridabad (HR)
<[email protected]>

ABSTRACT
Water is considered as the most critical resource for sustainable agricultural development. However,
the increasing population, and more erratic rainfall, is likely to reduce the water supply for
agriculture. Resource-wise, the country accounts for 16 per cent of the world’s human population and
nearly 30 per cent of the cattle with only 2.4 per cent of the land and 4 per cent of the water resources.
The total surface water availability of the country is estimated to be 1869 Billion Cubic Metres
(BCM) of which only about 690 BCM is utilizable. As per the latest assessment of Dynamic Ground
Water Resources of India (as on 31st March, 2013) carried out jointly by Central Ground Water Board
(CGWB) and State Ground Water Departments, the Annual Replenishable Ground Water Resources
of the Country are 447 Billion cubic Meters (BCM) out of which the annual ground water
draft/utilization is 253 BCM (Billion Cubic Meter), out of which 228 BCM is used for irrigation and
25 BCM is used for domestic and industrial purpose. Even if the full potential is exploited, about 50
per cent of the cultivated area will remain under rainfed agriculture. Water is the life-blood of
agriculture and it consumes over 80 per cent of the fresh water resources. Judicious exploitation and
management of water, therefore, holds the key for the future growth of Indian agriculture. Therefore,
time has come when Indian agriculture should appreciate the fact that water is a precious and limited
resource and should be conserved and handled carefully in the most efficient manner, to minimize the
dependence of agriculture on monsoon. The solution lies in examining the innovative models for their
contribution to higher efficiency of water usage. Micro irrigation is proved to be a one such efficient
method which enables better control and monitoring of existing water which can be translated into
higher water usage efficiency. Recognizing the importance of micro irrigation, the current
government manifesto has talked about Per Drop More Crop under PMKSY. Raising the physical
productivity of water in crops without due considerations to economic will not have much relevance
to small farmers in developing countries. The rationale of the paper is to appraise micro-irrigation as
an innovative technology for sustainable agriculture in India and the challenges faced while adopting
Micro-Irrigation Technology and suitable measures to overcome the problem. However, in spite of the
sustained efforts made by central and state governments, the extent of success in adoption of Micro
irrigation by farmers needs a review.

Keywords: Micro-irrigation, PMKSY, challenges, Scheme of Funding, Suggestions

Note: The Information referred in the paper is based on data available on PMKSY website and other
publication mentioned in “References”

1. INTRODUCTION
Agriculture, a way of life in India, has shaped the thought, outlook and culture of the people
for centuries. The agro-climatic condition of the country is suitable for growing a variety of
crops, which are found in most parts of the world. Agriculture will continue to be the engine
of country’s growth and development. Besides being the backbone of the national and
household food and livelihood securities of over 650 million people, agriculture sector
accounts for 25 per cent of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), 15 per cent of the
export and employs about 60 per cent of the workforce.
The requirement of water by different sectors by 2050 is estimated to be 1180BCM, but the
share of water for agriculture is expected to get reduced from the present level of around 80
per cent to 69 per cent by 2050. On the other hand, the demand for water for agricultural
purposes is estimated to increase to 611BCM in 2025 to 807 BCM in 2050. During the same
period, the demand for non-agricultural use of water will increase to 232to 232 BCM in 2025
to2025 to 373 BCM in 2050. The vulnerability of Indian agriculture is bound to be severe lest
the present trend of water use and management is changed. The per capita availability of
water in India has decreased from 2209 m3 /year in 1991 to 1545 m3 /year in 2011 and it is
estimated to decline further upto 1140m3/year in the year 2050.

Micro irrigation which allows application of water to root zone of the crops through specially
designed equipment known as emitters, has already been adopted by some countries for
transforming their agriculture. India introduced this technology on a commercial scale in the
8th Plan and during the past decade about 1.20 M ha could be covered under micro irrigation,
mostly under horticultural crops. However, the coverage so far has been minuscule in the
face of the fact that almost 69 M ha could be covered through this improved system.
The irrigation sector, mostly due to the overwhelmingly high prevalence of surface irrigation
will have to address the challenges of low WUE in face of the depleting water resources. The
efficacy of development and need-based adoption of micro irrigation system to meet the
challenges should be examined. As witnessed in developed and selected developing
countries, including those in India, micro irrigation, comprising drip, mini sprinkler and
sprinkler, must become a pivotal element of integrated water use system with many agro
ecological, socio-economic and environmental advantages. Micro irrigation has emerged as a
tool for effective management of resources which saves water, fertilizers and also electricity
and is one of the interventions in high value agriculture leading to diversification. In short, it
is a versatile solution provider- distributing the benefits completely, evenly and equitably
unlike other irrigation systems.
Water productivity is considered as a performance indicator of irrigation compared to old
concept of irrigation potential. Water productivity can be defined as the ratio of actual yield
achieved and the water actually used. In the case of micro-irrigation, the crop yield is
increased and the amount of water required is very less compared to any conventional
methods. Hence the water productivity will be increased significantly due to the increase in
numerator and decrease in the denominator. The real water saving in arid and semi arid
regions can be achieved in crop production through efficient irrigation technologies. Hence,
micro-irrigation has been considered as an innovative technology for sustainable agricultural
growth.
WHY MICRO-IRRIGATION? OR REQUISITE OF MICRO IRRIGATION
According to a recent estimate, thirty four countries in the world will be facing water scarcity
by 2025 indicating that per capita availability of fresh water supplies will be less than 100 m3
person per year. A country with renewable water availability on an annual per capita basis
exceeding about 1700 m3 will suffer only occasional or local water problems. Below this
threshold, countries begin to experience periodic or regular water stress. India (1400 m3 ) and
China (1700 m3 ) will come first into this category in the year 2025, while USA will have
more than 7000 m3 person-1 year -1 and will not face any scarcity. Rising demand for urban
and industrial water supplies in the world pose a serious threat to irrigated agriculture. The
allocation of water for agriculture will come down to 50% from the present level of 70%.
However, to achieve required food and fiber production with increasing population, India has
to boost the current irrigation potential of 91Mha to 160Mha but, the total water resources
estimated are 230Mha will have to cater the need to the nonagricultural uses also. The
country is likely to be water stressed in the coming years. Therefore hand in hand with
technologies for water harvesting and storage, technologies for precision water application
methods need to be adopted. The major problem associated with decreasing amount of fresh
water for irrigation is conveyance losses, reducing the net utilization of irrigation water to 46
per cent only. However, to fulfill the additional requirement of the irrigation with improved
technologies for water harvesting, excess runoff collection, storage and recycling for
precision water application by economizing the available amount of irrigation water needs to
be adopted.
Micro-irrigation will increase the irrigation cover using the existing available water. Micro-
irrigation with Fertigation will enhance production per unit input in these nutrient poor,
shallow and sloppy soils. Micro irrigation is a co-ordinated and controlled water management
system where water is made to flow under pressure through a network of pipes of varying
diameters, the main-line, the sub-main lines and the lateral lines with appropriately placed
emitters along the length of the latter through which water is discharged to the root zone.

Sprinkler Irrigation System Drip Irrigation System

The net utilization of irrigation water in drip system is 90 per cent and through sprinkler
system, it is 82 per cent. In view of the same, micro irrigation is having paramount
importance with brighter future prospects.

IMPORTANCE OF MICRO-IRRIGATION
• Water scarcity in various parts of the country has created awareness about micro-
irrigation systems and its implementation results in significant economic and social
benefits in the country. The benefits are noticed in terms of crop yields, reduction in
energy consumption, conveyance loss is minimal.
• Evaporation, runoff and deep percolation, the use of chemical fertilizers &
pesticides are also reduced by using micro irrigation methods.
• It also ensures additional benefits like non-exploitation of groundwater, reduction in
the cost of weeding and relief from water scarcity induced labour migration. The
real water saving can be obtained from the irrigation efficiency at field level. To
improve the water productivity for agriculture, initiatives can be taken at field level
and the saved water can be used for the irrigation of additional acreage or for
environmental and social needs. Another water saving advantage is that water
source with limited flow rates such as small water wells can be used.
• Micro irrigation provides significantly higher water usage efficiency due to
proximity and focused application. Efficient water use leads to additional benefits
such as increase in the area under irrigation as well as more usage of marginal/
degraded land.
2. PRADHAN MANTRI KRISHI SINCHAYEE YOJNA
The Government of India has implemented Centrally Sponsored Scheme on Micro Irrigation
under PMKSY with the objective to enhance water use efficiency in the agriculture sector by
promoting appropriate technological interventions like drip & sprinkler irrigation
technologies and encourage the farmers to use water saving and conservation technologies.
The Scheme was launched by the Department of Agriculture & Cooperation, Ministry of
Agriculture in January, 2006 as Centrally Sponsored Scheme on Micro Irrigation (CSS).
From 1st April 2015, Micro Irrigation component of OFWM has been subsumed under
Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY). It will be implemented as Centrally
Sponsored Scheme on Micro Irrigation under PMKSY during the financial year 2015-16 as
per the same pattern of assistance and cost norms as were prevailing under OFWM, unless
revised. In the FY 2016-17, funding pattern between Central Government and State
Government under PMKSY has been fixed as 60:40%.
Micro-Irrigation is considered as an integral part of Per Drop More Crop under Pradhan
Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojna (PMKSY) and they have listed many advantages of this
technology compared to conventional water application methods due to proximity and
focused application. These are:
(i) Micro-irrigation technology ensures water use efficiency as much as 50- 90%. This
can be achieved due to the fact that micro-irrigation helps to reduce conveyance
losses, runoff, evaporation losses, seepage and deep percolation losses significantly.
The saved water can be used to increase the area under irrigation or for the
reclamation of degraded/ waste land;
(ii) Since low flow rate is required, small wells can also be used as a source and it helps
for energy savings upto 30.5%. The potential savings in power may be utilized in
other sectors.
(iii) The direct application of fertilizers to the roots results in the saving in fertilizer
consumption up to 28.5%. This has a long term impact to achieve land productivity;
(iv) The crop yield is increased and it was stated that the productivity for crops & fruits is
increased up to 42.4 % and the increase in productivity for vegetables up to 52.7%.
This ensures good economic return for the better yields.
(v) Farmers can judiciously add more new crops due to improved water scenario and it
was estimated that as many as 30.4% farmers have done it; and
(vi) More focused and judicious use of water has resulted in the increase in farmers
income
2.1 Holistic Approach for Micro Irrigation System

• Poverty alleviation: essentially through increasing income, converting vast rainfed

areas into irrigated areas which are endowed with greater productivity and stability
and through the creation of additional employment opportunities, especially by
involving the private sector.
• Horticulture–led diversification of agriculture: leading to the promotion of high
value commodities with tremendous prospects for capturing new markets, particularly
under the WTO regime. The system also permits commercialization of protected
horticulture with tremendous economic returns.
• Enhanced productivity: through the increase in yield improved quality of the
product and reduced labour and input costs – resulting in greater competitiveness in
the liberalized world market. “More crop per drop” must be the driving force.
 • Environmental protection and ecological security: by promoting precision farming
where the correct quantity, correct time and correct place of application of the
irrigation water is assured. There is a significant reduction in accumulation of salt in
the root zone in the associated problems of water table rise and water logging, in
salinization and in the fall of the water table in tubewell command areas.
• Promotion of equity: by adopting micro irrigation technology in varying settings as
it is non-specific to location, topography, commodity and the quality of land. Its
adoption in waste lands and in hill and mountainous regions will greatly improve the
socio-economic condition of the people in such hitherto un-reached areas.
2.2 Micro-Irrigation: Current Status
(Source: Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana website)
• Area Covered under Centrally Sponsored Scheme on Micro Irrigation since 2005-06
to2018-19 is 5.67 Lac Hectare, fund released as on 31.03.2018 under PMKSY
Scheme is Rs.8, 63, 40, 35,000.00/-.
Analysis of the Scheme
Progressive States:- Under performing States where MI is yet to
States:- pickup:-
Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Punjab, Jharkhand, Arunachal Pradesh,
Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Manipur, Meghalaya,
Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Goa Nagaland and West Bengal
Telangana

Sub-scheme wise outlay (Central Share) for PMKSY scheme for five years (2015-16 to 2019-20)
(Rs. in Crores)
Sl.No Year/Min/Dept 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 Total
1. DAC 1800 2340 3050 3960 5150 16300
2. DoLR 1500 1950 2540 3300 4300 13590
M/o Water Resources, RD&GR
A. AIBP 1000 1400 1980 2780 3900 11060
B. PMKSY 1000 1300 1690 2200 2860 9050
Sub Total 2000 2700 3670 4980 6760 20110
Grand Total 5300 6990 9260 12240 16210 50000

Per Drop More Crop - Micro Irrigation (Data collected from PMKSY Website)
3. SUCCESS STORY OF MICRO-IRRIGATION TECHNOLOGY IN INDIA
A study in the semi Arid region of India was carried by Neelam Patel and T.B.S Rajput
WTC, IARI, New Delhi in the district Alwar, Rajasthan. Alwar has an important place in
agriculture production in Rajasthan. Total geographical area of the district is 7,82,897
hectares which is about 2.5% of the State. In Alwar district, 68% of the working population is
employed in the agriculture sector. In this district, 82% of the farmers come under small (1–2
ha) and marginal (<1 ha) land holding categories. The main source of irrigation is tube wells.
About 35470 electric motors and 66502 diesel pump sets are being used for irrigation
purposes as villages having no canal irrigation facility. The normal rainfall for the district is
657.3 mm. Two villages namely Chidwai and Pehal were selected in the Alwar district each
representing the normal irrigation practices in vegetables–wheat cropping system of the area.
Participatory Rural Appraisal techniques were conducted in the villages to get an insight in to
the farmers’ perceptions. Total 2.5 ha area belonging to five farmers was placed under drip
irrigation during 2012 and 2013, utilizing low discharge of tube wells which is not possible in
flood irrigation in cotton and kharif onion. Fifteen moveable Raingun sprinkler systems were
installed for irrigation of wheat crop in the villages. Cotton under drip irrigation could save
50% (5120 m3 water under drip and 10240 m3 under flood) of water besides 75% enhance in
yield (2.8 t/ha in drip against 1.6 t/ha in flood). Kharif onion under drip irrigation could save
40% (3388 m3 water under drip and 5646 m3 under flood) of water besides 50% enhance in
yield (24 t/ha in drip against 16 t/ha in flood). Impact of this technology motivated other
farmers of nearby villages and now many farmers are coming forward for the large scale
adoption.
Another successful story is from Narmada canal Project in sSanchore, a town in Jalore
District of Rajasthan wherein after adoption of Sprinkler system in place of conventional
methods following benefits has occurreds:

• The CCA has been increased from 1.35Lac hectare to 2.46 Lac Hectare i.e 78%
increased.
• No of Villages benefited for irrigation increased from 89 to 233.
• Drinking water facility in 1541 villages and 3 Towns has been provided.
• Increased in food production has been assessed 534Cr to 2200 Cr (312%) based on
year 2015-16.
• Kharif crop had been introduced.
• Formatted: Indent: Left: 0.5", No bullets or numbering

4. IMPACT ON ECONOMICS OF IRRIGATION Formatted: Indent: Hanging: 0.5", Space After: 10 pt

The technology also has a positive impact on the economics of irrigation as it has a positive
impact on the pumping hours required for irrigating a field. This helps save a lot of cost and
energy as well and also helps to reduce the wear and tear of the pump and increase its
longevity. This is enabled by the reduction in water quantity used for irrigating a field due to
the implementation of this technology and this is perceived by both adopters as well as non
adopters. However the cost of economics might work out but the resource conservation can
take a hit as these savings in irrigation also help to expand the irrigated area thereby
increasing the total water quantity used to earlier levels and also more energy will be required
to irrigate the expanded area. Thus some of the benefits of drip irrigation in terms of
irrigation economics can be lost as well for better farm economics. However to irrigate this
expanded area without drip irrigation would result in considerable increase in draught of
water which could have very detrimental environmental impacts. Drip irrigation helps to
avoid such extremes. The economics of irrigation is also positively impacted by the
technology in many other indirect ways as it ensures adequate and timely water supply to the
farm this helps take away most of the variability of farming and productivity thereby assuring
yield and productivity and revenue to the farmer. The assurance of yield and total production
enables a farmer to enter into long term contracts and exercise greater market power as well.
The technology also has a positive impact on transaction costs of irrigation as it helps to
reduce the conflicts and increases adaptability in irrigation. However the true economics of
irrigation will be beneficial only once the scale of adoption in space and time is significant to
transform savings into inter-farm and inter sectorial transfers even if only at the village or
household level.

5. CHALLENGES FOR ADOPTING MICRO-IRRIGATION TECHNOLOGY:

Indian agriculture still continues to be a gamble on monsoon. Only 18% of precipitation is
used while the rest is lost through surface runoff, which aggravates the problem of soil
erosion. Therefore, harvesting the rainwater, checking soil erosion through various methods,
and efficiently utilizing the harvested/conserved water, needs to be integrated in order to
justify the huge investments on high cost irrigation projects. In the absence of large-scale
adoption of efficient modern irrigation technologies such as drip and sprinkler irrigation, the
present irrigation efficiency in the country is only 30-40 percent. Past efforts in promoting
Micro irrigation technologies have been rewarding and they did bring vertical growth in their
adoption. However, their adoption has remained limited with slow progress, particularly due
to the following reasons:

• The initial cost of establishing micro irrigation system is high, hence generally out of
the reach of resource-poor farmers.
• Micro irrigation technology was not integrated with farm irrigation management
systems, as they were generally viewed in isolation.
• Adequate credit facilities to the farmers, trained human resources, appropriate
technical know-how and infrastructure for training of farmers were lacking.
• Micro irrigation is generally perceived as technology intensive, hence its acceptance
by farmers needed much persuasion.
• There was a lack of information on temporal and spatial variation in soil moisture, the
optimal fraction of soil to be wetted, location specific and crop-specific irrigation and
Fertigation scheduling and lack of availability of low cost water soluble fertilizers and
other agro chemicals.
6. SUGGESTIONS FOR BETTER ADOPTION OF MI SYSTEMS
• Large scale adoption of micro irrigation technologies needs to be encouraged as a key
Government Policy in order to take complete advantage of the benefits offered by
these technologies.
• Micro irrigation should not be viewed as an end in itself. It needs to be promoted in a
holistic manner having end-to-end approach with integration of agronomic practices
and linkages for marketing.
• Micro irrigation technologies should be viewed as total plant support systems instead
of just considering them as water conservation measures, as these technologies help in
improving the individual and combined efficiency of all other agricultural inputs such
as fertilizers, energy, plant protection measures, etc
• It is accepted that Major & Medium irrigation projects have created islands of
prosperity amidst surrounding poverty. This is because, the upstream population as
well as population beyond the tail end of the canal have been deprived of the project
benefits. The deprived lot has also lost even what they once received as their natural
share in the water flowing through the river. Farmers on upstream and beyond tail-end
have no option but to resort to cost intensive lift irrigation schemes. Even here,
inefficient use of water through conventional methods results in prohibitive water and
energy costs rendering the scheme uneconomical. If the government adopts the policy
of making MIT mandatory for all commercial crops under both canal and lift
irrigation system, it will provide/ensure larger benefits to greater number of farmers
with same volume of water. This will obviously lead to greater equity.
• Groundwater is the only source of water being used for drip method of irrigation in
India. Unlike other countries, in India water from surface sources (dams, reservoirs,
etc) is generally not used for drip method of irrigation. Since water use efficiency
under surface sources is very low owing to heavy losses through conveyance and
distribution, farmers should be encouraged to use water from surface sources for drip
method of irrigation. This can be done by allotting certain proportion of water from
each irrigation project only for the use by micro irrigation.
• Water Users Associations (WUAs) are being promoted in a big way with the support
of internal and external agencies in India in recent years. Since one of the main
objectives of the WUAs is to improve the water use efficiency, some arrangements
need to be made to introduce the micro irrigation through WUAs.
 • Since there is shortage of electrical energy in the country, its conservation in the
agricultural sector with the help of micro irrigation should receive due consideration
even in framing future power policy.
• Micro irrigation encourages commercial agriculture through crop diversification and
motivates the farmers to switch over from conventional cropping pattern to high value
commercial crops. It also improves quality of the produce because of timely and
uniform nutrient application.
• GST should not be imposed on micro irrigation system as it should be viewed as an
infrastructure support for the overall development of agriculture.
• Capacity building of the manufacturers is equally important for ensuring development
of quality products and their application. There should be regular interaction between
the micro irrigation industry and the research organisations for updating the skills and
knowledge.

CONCLUSION
Micro irrigation led agriculture, armed with knowledge and technologies, with farmer as
centre point, should be viewed as one of the eco-technological approaches to attain
sustained and enhanced agricultural production and productivity. The noted benefits due
to micro-irrigation technology are increase in yield, improvement in the water use
efficiency, reduction in the cost of water, fertilizers and manures and weed removal. All
these added up in the increase in the overall economical benefits accrued due optimum
utilization of water. The technology is bound to maximize the synergistic interactions of
improved seeds, water and fertilizer – the three components of the Green Revolution.
Through micro irrigation, the Green Revolution could be transformed into an Evergreen
Revolution to ensure the congruence of sustainability, productivity, profitability and
equity this technology is highly relevant and praise worthy. Since micro irrigation greatly
enhances water, fertilizer and energy use efficiency and promotes precision agriculture,
the Evergreen Revolution could be achieved without the burden of environmental
degradation. Hence economic considerations can be incorporated with more engineering
approaches to keep water productivity more relevant in economic criteria.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Auhors thankfully acknowledged the officers of MoWR,RD&GR & CWC etc. towards wrting this
Paper

REFERENCES:
1. GoI, Ministry of Agriculture, PMKSY website
2. GoI, Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Agriculture & Cooperation, New Delhi “Report
of Task Force on Micro irrigation” January, 2004
3. Strategy Paper –Future Prospects of Micro irrigation in India aligned with Government Vision by
Irrigation Association of India (IAI) & Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry
(FICCI) & Grant Thornton India.
4. IWMI-Tata Water Policy Program (2011): “TNDRIP Capacity Building Programme”,
Evaluation Report 1/2011, International Water Management Institute, Hyderabad .
5. K. Priyan & R. A. Panchal “Micro-Irrigation: An Efficient Technology for India’s Sustainable
Agricultural Growth” Kalpa Publications in Civil Engineering Volume 1, 2017 Pages 398–
402.