Micro-irrigation is a modern pressurized irrigation technology that involves the slow and precise application of water directly to the root zone of plants, either on the soil surface or buried below it. Unlike traditional flood irrigation, which leads to heavy runoff and evaporation, micro-irrigation operates on the principle of “more crop per drop” by maintaining optimal soil moisture levels with minimal water wastage.
Primary Technologies in Micro-Irrigation
The sector is dominated by two core technologies, each suited for specific soil types and crop varieties:
Drip Irrigation (Trickle Irrigation)
- Mechanism: Water is delivered through a network of valves, pipes, and emitters directly to the base of the plant.
- Efficiency: It is considered the most efficient method, with water use efficiency reaching 85–90%.
- Best Suited For: High-value horticultural crops (grapes, bananas, citrus), plantation crops (tea, coffee), and wide-spaced row crops (sugarcane).
Sprinkler Irrigation
- Mechanism: Water is sprayed into the air through nozzles, falling onto the crop like natural rainfall.
- Efficiency: Offers an efficiency of approximately 75–80%.
- Best Suited For: Closely spaced crops like cereals (wheat, pulses, oilseeds) and for undulating terrains where leveling is difficult.
Economic and Agricultural Advantages
Micro-irrigation is a critical tool for “Evergreen Revolution” as it addresses both resource conservation and farmer income.
- Water Saving: Reduces water consumption by 30–50% compared to surface/flood irrigation.
- Fertigation Facility: It allows for the application of fertilizers through the irrigation water, ensuring direct nutrient delivery, reducing fertilizer wastage by 25–30%, and preventing soil degradation.
- Energy Efficiency: Since less water is pumped, it significantly reduces the electricity or diesel consumption required for irrigation.
- Weed Control: As water is targeted at the root zone, the surrounding soil remains dry, inhibiting weed growth and reducing labor costs.
- Higher Yields: Precise moisture control leads to a 20–40% increase in crop productivity and improved crop quality.
Comparative Analysis: Micro vs. Traditional Irrigation
| Feature | Surface (Flood) Irrigation | Micro-Irrigation |
| Water Use Efficiency | 30% to 50% | 75% to 95% |
| Fertilizer Efficiency | Low (Leaching occurs) | High (Fertigation) |
| Labor Requirement | High (Field leveling/bunding) | Low (Automated/Simple) |
| Energy Consumption | High | Low to Moderate |
| Suitability | Flat Plains only | All terrains (including hills) |
| Soil Erosion | High | Minimal to Nil |
Key Government Initiatives and Governance
Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) – Per Drop More Crop (PDMC)
The “Per Drop More Crop” component of PMKSY, launched in 2015, focuses exclusively on micro-irrigation.
- Objective: To expand the area under micro-irrigation and enhance water productivity at the farm level.
- Subsidies: The Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) provides financial assistance ranging from 45% to 55% to small and marginal farmers for installing these systems.
Micro Irrigation Fund (MIF)
- Corpus: A dedicated fund of ₹5,000 crore (later increased) was created with NABARD.
- Purpose: To provide subsidized loans to state governments to incentivize the adoption of micro-irrigation and to help them offer additional top-up subsidies beyond PMKSY-PDMC.
PM-KUSUM Scheme
- While primarily an energy scheme, it integrates with micro-irrigation by encouraging solar-pump users to adopt drip/sprinkler systems to ensure the sustainability of groundwater resources.
Current Status and State-wise Performance
As per recent agricultural statistics and the Ministry of Jal Shakti reports:
- Total Potential: India has an estimated micro-irrigation potential of 69.5 million hectares.
- Actual Coverage: Currently, only about 13–15 million hectares have been covered.
- Leading States in Drip Irrigation: Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh.
- Leading States in Sprinkler Irrigation: Rajasthan, Haryana, and Gujarat.
- Gujarat Model: Gujarat has successfully implemented the “Sujalam Sufalam” and centralized management through the Gujarat Green Revolution Company (GGRC) to streamline subsidies.
Critical Challenges in Adoption
- High Initial Investment: Despite subsidies, the high upfront cost of emitters, pipes, and filters remains a barrier for small farmers.
- Technical Knowledge: Many farmers lack the training required to maintain emitters (which often get clogged by salt or sand) and manage the fertigation schedule.
- Fragmentation of Land: Small, non-contiguous landholdings make the installation of centralized pressurized systems difficult.
- Quality of Equipment: The presence of substandard components in the market can lead to frequent system failures.
Facts and Trivia for UPSC Prelims
- Global Pioneer: Israel is the world leader and the original developer of modern drip irrigation technology (Netafim).
- Fertigation: The term refers to the simultaneous application of water and fertilizers, a key feature of drip irrigation.
- Water Users Associations (WUAs): These community bodies are being encouraged to manage shared micro-irrigation infrastructure in canal commands.
- Solar Micro-Irrigation: First introduced successfully in India in the arid regions of Rajasthan and Haryana to overcome power connectivity issues.
- Precision Farming: Micro-irrigation is the foundational technology for precision farming, which uses IoT and sensors to monitor soil moisture and automate water delivery.