Renowned researchers from prestigious institutions such as the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, University of Delaware, Columbia University, and Yale School of Environmental Studies recently conducted a study. The study aimed to address water consumption and sustainable agriculture practices in the northern plains of India, primarily focusing on the Indo-Gangetic region. The research covered 124 districts across Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal, thus encapsulating the upper, middle, and lower sections of the Ganga basin.
Key Insights from the Study
The study resulted in several significant findings relating to water conservation methods, cropping patterns, and their implications on the overall economy and food security.
Water Conservation through Crop Switching
Substituting rice with millets (pearl millet or bajra and sorghum) during the Kharif season, and swopping wheat for sorghum in the Rabi season can reduce water usage by up to 32% in the Indo-Gangetic Plains. Moreover, this practice can augment farmers’ profits by an impressive 140%.
Benefits Beyond Water Conservation
Crop switching has the potential to go beyond water conservation; it can increase water savings by 55% during the Kharif season and 9% in the Rabi season. Furthermore, farmers’ profits could increase by 139% and 152% during the Kharif and Rabi seasons respectively. Simultaneously, calorie production could see a rise of 39%.
Crop Switching vs Drip Irrigation
The study compared crop switching with improving irrigation efficiency, specifically transitioning from flood to drip irrigation. Results showed crop switching outperformed drip irrigation in curtailing groundwater depletion and energy savings. Drip irrigation enhances net groundwater recharge by 34%, while crop switching facilitates a 41% improvement. However, drip irrigation does not boost calorie production or profits for farmers. Combining crop switching with drip irrigation displays the most remarkable improvement—78% reduction in groundwater depletion.
The Necessity of a Multi-Objective Approach
Adopting a multi-objective approach is crucial for maintaining a balance between water conservation, increased calorie production, and higher farmer incomes. Single-focused strategies usually involve trade-offs. For instance, focusing solely on water conservation may enhance savings by 4%, but it leads to a significant drop in calorie production (23%) and profits (126%). Conversely, a profit-maximizing strategy might slightly increase water savings, but it could also reduce calorie production.
Nutri Cereals for Improved Nutrition
Shifting to Nutri cereals, such as sorghum and bajra, can lead to impressive increases in protein, iron, and zinc production—46%, 353%, and 82% respectively. Consequently, this not only benefits farmers but also improves nutrition for consumers.
The North Indian Plains: An Overview
The Indo-Gangetic region boasts a subtropical climate with hot summers and cool winters. The Northern Plains are divided into four physiographic regions—Bhabar, Terai, Bhangar, and Khadar—based on alluvium nature and relief features.
These plains are immensely important for India’s agriculture, contributing 30% of the country’s total food production. They also serve as the primary source for staple cereals like rice and wheat. Demographically, they house one of the highest population densities globally, particularly along the banks of the Ganges.
The research provides valuable insights into enhancing sustainable agricultural practices, improving water conservation, increasing farmers’ income, and ensuring food security in India, particularly in the Indo-Gangetic plains.
