Roadmap for Answer Writing

1. Introduction

• Briefly introduce the concept of cropping patterns in India, highlighting the shift towards water-intensive crops like paddy and sugarcane.
• Define “water-intensive cropping patterns” and explain their implications for water resources.

2. Reasons Behind the Uneven Shift Towards Water-Intensive Cropping Patterns

• Geographical Factors:
  • Irrigation Availability: Areas with better irrigation infrastructure, such as the northern plains, are more likely to adopt water-intensive crops (paddy, sugarcane, etc.).
  • Climatic Conditions: Regions with monsoonal rainfall patterns may rely on water-intensive crops during certain seasons (e.g., paddy in the kharif season).
• Economic Factors:
  • Market Demand and Government Policies: High demand for crops like paddy and sugarcane, often backed by MSP (Minimum Support Price) policies, incentivize farmers to grow these crops despite their water needs.
  • Subsidies for Water and Electricity: Subsidies for electricity and water make it financially viable for farmers to continue with water-intensive cropping.
• Cultural and Social Factors:
  • Traditional Practices: Farmers in many regions have long-standing practices of growing water-intensive crops. Changing this habit is difficult due to lack of knowledge or resistance to innovation.
  • Dependency on Crops: Economic dependency on crops like paddy and sugarcane makes the transition to alternative crops difficult.

3. Measures to Promote Sustainable Water-Efficient Cropping Patterns

• Improved Irrigation Techniques:
  • Adoption of drip irrigation, sprinklers, and efficient water management systems to reduce water wastage.
• Diversification of Cropping Patterns:
  • Encourage the cultivation of drought-resistant and less water-consuming crops like millets, pulses, and oilseeds.
• Incentive and Support Schemes:
  • Revamping MSP policies to incentivize farmers to grow water-efficient crops and providing subsidies for low-water crops.
• Awareness and Education:
  • Government and NGOs should promote awareness about water-efficient farming techniques through training programs and farmer outreach.
• Research and Development:
  • Investment in the development of genetically modified crops or varieties that require less water.

4. Conclusion

• Summarize the reasons for the uneven shift and reiterate the importance of sustainable water use in agriculture.
• Call for coordinated efforts between the government, farmers, and agricultural researchers to move towards water-efficient cropping patterns.

Relevant Facts for the Answer

1. Water Consumption in Agriculture:
   • Agriculture consumes approximately 80% of India’s total water resources. Paddy cultivation alone accounts for about 23% of total water use in the country.
2. Uneven Distribution of Water:
   • The availability of water for irrigation is highly uneven in India. The northern states like Punjab and Haryana receive more irrigation infrastructure support, leading to a higher prevalence of water-intensive crops.
3. Government Schemes:
   • The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) aims to increase the efficiency of irrigation systems, focusing on water-use efficiency, with particular emphasis on rain-fed areas.
4. Water-Efficient Crops Promotion:
   • Millets, which require less water compared to rice or wheat, have been promoted under the National Food Security Mission (NFSM). Millets are also more drought-resistant, making them suitable for regions with erratic rainfall.
5. Irrigation Techniques:
   • Drip irrigation and sprinkler systems can save up to 40-60% of water compared to traditional flood irrigation techniques.
6. Water-Efficient Technologies:
   • Soil Moisture Management techniques, including moisture sensors and rainwater harvesting, can improve water-use efficiency.