Why in NEWS
For decades, policymakers believed that irrigation alone drives farmers to switch to water-intensive crops. However, data from 2011–12 to 2022–23 reveals a more nuanced reality: farmers decide on crops and irrigation simultaneously based on real-time conditions like rainfall, seed/fertilizer availability, and market prices. This evolving trend calls for smarter, synchronized irrigation planning to enhance sustainability, productivity, and water efficiency.
Key Concepts in the News
| Term | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Gross Irrigated Area (GIA) | Total area irrigated, counting repeated irrigation for multiple crops per year. |
| Gross Sown Area (GSA) | Total land sown with crops in a year, counting multiple sowings separately. |
| Cropping Pattern | Distribution and sequence of crops grown in a region. |
| Multiple Cropping | Growing more than one crop in a year on the same land. |
| High-Yielding Varieties (HYVs) | Crop varieties that offer higher productivity when supported by inputs. |
| Synchronised Irrigation Planning | Aligning irrigation infrastructure with actual sowing and cropping timelines. |
| Waterlogging and Soil Salinization | Conditions from poor drainage leading to declining soil fertility. |
| PMKSY | Umbrella irrigation scheme with multiple sub-schemes under the central govt. |
Insights from the Data (2011–12 to 2022–23)
| Parameter | 2011–12 | 2022–23 | Observation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Irrigated Area (GIA) | 91.8 million ha | 122.3 million ha | Increase of ~33% |
| Gross Sown Area (GSA) | 195.8 million ha | 219.4 million ha | Rise of ~12% |
| Irrigated Share of GSA | 46.9% | 55.8% | Increasing reliance on irrigation |
| Crop Yield (kg/acre) | 841 | 1,009 | Grew at 1.67% annually |
Irrigation–Cropping Relationship
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Role of Irrigation | Enables shift from subsistence to high-value crops |
| Multiple Cropping | Irrigation reduces monsoon dependence, enables double/triple cropping |
| HYV Dependency | Needs assured water; more viable in irrigated regions |
| Geography Advantage | Punjab, Haryana benefit due to terrain, soil, canal-tubewell infrastructure |
| Irrigation Timing Importance | Must align with sowing; delays reduce effectiveness |
Need for Synchronisation
| Benefit | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Efficient Water Use | Timely water reduces wastage and overuse |
| Higher Productivity | Irrigation during critical growth phases boosts yield |
| Climate Adaptation | Ensures resilience during monsoon failure or heatwaves |
| Cost-Effectiveness | Infrastructure investments yield better returns when synced with cropping |
| Sustainability | Prevents over-irrigation, salinization, and groundwater depletion |
Flaws in Traditional Planning
| Issue | Example/Impact |
|---|---|
| Mismatch with Crop Cycles | Delayed canal repairs miss sowing season (e.g., Gosikhurd project) |
| Top-Down Approach | Ignores local crops; paddy preference leads to groundwater depletion in Punjab |
| Poor Maintenance | Canal loss up to 40% due to seepage, theft |
| Lack of Convergence | Irrigation fails to raise yields without quality seeds or credit (e.g., UP case) |
| Data Deficiency | Most states don’t use soil moisture or satellite data for planning |
| Tech & Finance Barriers | Drip irrigation inaccessible to small farmers due to high cost |
| Soil Salinity & Waterlogging | May affect 13 million ha by 2025; 80% yield drop in some regions |
Policy Response and Way Forward
| Action Needed | Details |
|---|---|
| Agro-Ecological Planning | Tailor strategies to local soils, rainfall, and crops |
| Promote Low-Water Crops | Millets, pulses, oilseeds in dry zones |
| Input Convergence | Sync irrigation with seed, fertilizer, credit access |
| Digital Tools | Use satellite/soil moisture data (e.g., Andhra’s RTGS model) |
| Boost Micro-Irrigation | Subsidies, solar pumps, shared systems for small farmers |
| Revamp PMKSY Implementation | Ensure timely completion and real-time adaptability |
In a Nutshell (Memory Code: “I.S.W.A.R.”)
A crisp way to remember the key themes in Irrigation-Cropping Synchronisation:
I – Infrastructure delays reduce impact during sowing
S – State-led planning flaws ignore local agro needs
W – Water mismanagement causing depletion & salinity
A – Agro-climatic planning needed over blanket approach
R – Real-time decisions drive cropping, not irrigation alone
Prelims Practice Questions
Q.1 Consider the following statements regarding irrigation in India:
- The share of irrigated gross sown area in India has crossed 60% as of 2022–23.
- Canal irrigation leads to higher efficiency than tubewell irrigation due to reduced seepage.
- States with canal-tubewell synergy like Punjab and Haryana show high cropping intensity.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Q.2 Which of the following correctly explains the concept of synchronised irrigation planning?
- It focuses only on building new irrigation infrastructure.
- It involves aligning irrigation supply with actual sowing cycles and local cropping patterns.
- It promotes universal drip irrigation regardless of the region’s agro-climatic needs.
Select the correct answer using the code below:
A. 2 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 1 and 2 only
D. All of the above
Q.3 Which of the following factors are critical in determining a farmer’s cropping decision in India?
- Rainfall distribution
- Access to quality seeds and fertilizers
- Prevailing market prices
Select the correct answer:
A. 1 and 3 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1, 2 and 3
D. 1 only
Mains Questions
Q1. Discuss how synchronised irrigation planning can contribute to sustainable agriculture in India. (250 words)
Q2. What are the limitations of current irrigation strategies in India? Suggest reforms for improving water-use efficiency in Indian agriculture. (250 words)
Q.3 How can the strategy of increasing cropping intensity help in ensuring food security in India? GS Paper 3 – UPSC Mains 2019
Prelims Answer Key with Explanations
| Question | Answer | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Q.1 | C | Statement 1 is incorrect (actual share was 55.8%, not >60%). Statement 2 is incorrect as canal irrigation has high seepage losses (up to 40%). Statement 3 is correct: Punjab & Haryana benefit from canal-tubewell synergy. |
| Q.2 | A | Only statement 2 is correct. Synchronised planning means aligning water supply with cropping timelines. Statements 1 and 3 are wrong – it is not about just infrastructure or one-size-fits-all drip irrigation. |
| Q.3 | C | All three factors—rainfall, input access, and market prices—influence a farmer’s cropping decision. Data from 2011–2023 proves this multifactor dependence. |
