Micro-Irrigation Adoption in Uttar Pradesh’s Agriculture

The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana was launched to combat the looming water crisis in India. Despite this initiative, Uttar Pradesh remains behind in micro-irrigation adoption. Other states like Karnataka and Maharashtra have made substantial strides in improving irrigation efficiency. By August 2024, Karnataka had 1.68 million hectares under micro-irrigation, representing 22 per cent of India’s total. In stark contrast, only four per cent of Uttar Pradesh’s farmland employs micro-irrigation methods.

Current State of Micro-Irrigation in Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh, a major groundwater extractor, shows minimal progress in micro-irrigation. Only two out of every 100 farms utilise this method. Madhya Pradesh and Punjab also lag, with four and negligible percentages respectively. Rajasthan fares slightly better, with 11 per cent adoption. Key districts in Uttar Pradesh, such as Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddha Nagar, exhibit low interest in micro-irrigation.

Government Initiatives and Challenges

• The Horticulture Department of Uttar Pradesh is promoting micro-irrigation through the ‘Per Drop More Crop’ scheme.
• Awareness among farmers is crucial for increasing adoption rates. As of November 2024, only 1,500 hectares in Saharanpur had micro-irrigation systems installed.
• The target for the current financial year is set at 1,840 hectares.
• Officials report growing interest among farmers as they witness the benefits of their peers.

Potential of Millets in Water Conservation

Millets present a promising alternative to water-intensive crops like rice. Growing one kilogram of rice requires 649 litres of water, while millets need only five litres. If farmers in Uttar Pradesh shifted just ten per cent of their irrigated rice fields to millets, the state could save approximately 993 million cubic metres of groundwater. This amount could satisfy the domestic water needs of Lucknow district for over 75 years at the current consumption rate.

Questions for UPSC:

1. Examine the role of micro-irrigation in enhancing agricultural productivity and water conservation in India.
2. Discuss the challenges faced by Uttar Pradesh in adopting micro-irrigation compared to other states.
3. Analyse the potential impact of shifting from water-intensive crops to millets on groundwater conservation.
4. Critically discuss the importance of government initiatives in promoting sustainable agricultural practices in India.

Answer Hints:

1. Examine the role of micro-irrigation in enhancing agricultural productivity and water conservation in India.

1. Micro-irrigation systems, like drip and sprinkler, improve water use efficiency compared to traditional methods.
2. They reduce water wastage, allowing farmers to save 30-40% of water, which is crucial in water-scarce regions.
3. Enhanced crop yields are reported; for instance, Kameshwar Prasad Sharma increased his wheat yield from two to three quintals per bigha.
4. Micro-irrigation contributes to stable groundwater levels, mitigating the risk of depletion.
5. Government schemes like ‘Per Drop More Crop’ aim to promote such practices, indicating a national focus on sustainable agriculture.

2. Discuss the challenges faced by Uttar Pradesh in adopting micro-irrigation compared to other states.

1. Uttar Pradesh has only 4% of its farmland under micro-irrigation, lower than states like Karnataka (22%) and Maharashtra (11%).
2. Low farmer awareness and technical proficiency hinder adoption; many farmers remain unaware of the benefits.
3. Key districts show minimal interest, with only 2-4 out of 100 farms adopting micro-irrigation methods.
4. Groundwater extraction practices remain prevalent, leading to resistance against changing established irrigation methods.
5. Limited government outreach and infrastructure for micro-irrigation installation further exacerbate the issue.

3. Analyse the potential impact of shifting from water-intensive crops to millets on groundwater conservation.

1. Millets require less water (5 litres/kg) compared to rice (649 litres/kg), offering a sustainable alternative.
2. A shift of just 10% of irrigated rice fields to millets could save approximately 993 million cubic metres of groundwater.
3. This conservation could meet the domestic water needs of Lucknow district for over 75 years at current consumption rates.
4. Adopting millets could enhance soil health and biodiversity, promoting a more resilient agricultural ecosystem.
5. Government promotion of millets can align with water conservation goals and improve food security in the long term.

4. Critically discuss the importance of government initiatives in promoting sustainable agricultural practices in India.

1. Government initiatives, like the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, aim to address critical issues such as water scarcity and agricultural productivity.
2. Programs like ‘Per Drop More Crop’ are essential for raising awareness and providing technical support to farmers.
3. Financial incentives and subsidies can encourage the adoption of sustainable practices, such as micro-irrigation and millets cultivation.
4. Government backing is crucial for research and development in sustainable agriculture, leading to innovation and improved practices.
5. Collaboration with local communities and farmers ensures that initiatives are tailored to regional needs, enhancing effectiveness.