India uses 2-3 times more water per ton of crop than developed countries: Prof. Ramesh Chand, Niti Aayog Member

India accounts for only 2.4% of world’s land and 4% of water, but instead of a land crisis, a vast stretch of the country is facing water crisis particularly in the agriculture sector. Wastage of resources in irrigation projects, faulty crop pattern, wrong technique of crop cultivation, and preferences for water-intensive crops like rice and off-season vegetables have aggravated the problem. The situation requires immediate attention of various and experts are suggesting focus on precision agriculture and adoption of modern technologies to combat the situation. 

″India uses 2-3 times more water for producing 1 ton of crop compared to several developed and developing nation. Area under cultivation has increased but mostly for Rabi crops, when it mostly does not rain. This needs to change and state governments in particular need to promote cultivation according to local environmental and geographical conditions,″ said Prof. Ramesh Chand, Member, Niti Aayog, while delivering a key note speech at a function organized in New Delhi on the occasion of World Water Day 2024 by Dhanuka Group.  

Highlighting the plight of the country’s irrigation infrastructure before 2015, Prof. Ramesh Chand further said, ″Between 1995 and 2015, billions of rupees were invested on irrigation projects –medium and major, but area under irrigation remained stagnant. It required overhaul and since 2015, the Central Government changed the approach. As a result, the area under irrigation has increased by 1% every year from last few years taking it from 47% to 55% now.″ 

Putting emphasis on less investment intensive methods to increase area under irrigation using the same amount of water, Dr. P. K. Singh, Agriculture Commissioner of Government of India said, ″In collaboration with Jal Shakti ministry, we are exploring ways to maximize usage of surface water. For example, if water of a canal is presently irrigating 100 hectare of agricultural land, how can we take it to 150 hectare using various means but same amount of water.″

Dr. R. C. Agrawal, Deputy Director General (Agricultural Education), ICAR stressed upon the need to educate farmers and youths about right water usage in the agriculture sector. ″We are designing a course which will make them aware about water usage in the agriculture sector and offer solutions,″ said Dr. Agrawal.

Earlier setting the tone for the event, Mr. R. G. Agarwal, Chairman, Dhanuka Group strongly advocated adoption of modern technologies for agricultural purposes. 

″Around 70% of water is used for agriculture purposes. The usage of modern technologies like drones, sprinkler, drip irrigation and water sensors would help reduce the requirement of water for agriculture purposes significantly. It will also help in reducing water wastage to a large extent,″ he said. 

Citing an example of drone application, Mr. R. G. Agarwal further added, ″Pesticide spray on 1 acre of land via drone requires just about 10 liters of water as against 200 liters in traditional method. The saving of water is just enormous courtesy modern techniques. Setting up a weather station at panchayat level will also help reduce water requirements substantially. Countries like Israel have already demonstrated the benefits of precision agriculture including modern irrigation system. We as a country too need to adopt precision farming in a big way, which will not only result in saving of water, but wll also help enhance crop quality, production, and profitability of farmers, a goal that Government is keen to achieve. ″

Terming the water a solution for the conflicts, Dr. Rajvir Sharma, Chairman Delhi Regional Chapter, IIPA said, ″We are surrounded by various types of conflicts, such as food security, livelihood security, inter-governmental conflicts and conflicts between nations or states, for which water can be used as a tool of prevention of conflicts.″

Other dignitaries who spoke on various means to save and conservation of water included Dr. (Mrs.) Balvinder Shukla, Vice Chancellor, Amity University, Uttar Pradesh; Dr. Arun Kumar, Vice Chancellor, Swami Keshwanand Rajasthan Agricultural University, Bikaner; Dr. B. S. Tomar, Head of Department – Vegetable Sciences, IARI; Dr. Rabindra Padaria, JD, Agri Extn., IARI; Dr. Y. G. Prasad, Director, Central Institute for Cotton Research and Dr. R. Sarada Jayalakshmi.  The MSP Committee Member Shri Pramod Chaudhary, Asst. Professor of JNU Dr. Sudhir Suthar and the Executive President of World Cooperative Economic Forum Shri Binod Anand spoke on the subject of ‘Optimizing water resources through precision agriculture in a changing climate: AI and ICT perspectives’.   

Dhanuka Group has championed water conservation for more than a decade. The Group ran a signature campaign, "Khet ka pani khet mein aur gaon ka pani gaon mein" with legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan as his brand ambassador that aimed to educate communities on responsible water use in agriculture and daily life. Dhanuka Group has also funded the construction of successful check dams in Rajasthan, capturing rainwater for use by villages in Jugalpura, Devipura (both in district Sikar);  MainpurakiDhani, and Sankotra (in district Jaipur).