INTRODUCTION: 

SPEECH BY PROMINENT PERSONALITIES (PM, PRESIDENT, UN OFFICIAL et. al)/RECOGNITION IF ANY:

• Irrigation is more than just extending the land under cultivation. It is about empowering farmers and transforming their lives: PM Modi
• The 'Per Drop More Crop' mantra encapsulates India’s vision for irrigation: PM Modi
• Promoting crop diversification is essential for enhancing food, nutrition, and income security of farming communities. - Dr. M.S. Swaminathan

CURRENT DEVELOPMENT: 

• UN/FAO declared 2023 as international year of Millets.
• SCO adopted smart agriculture action plan under the chairpersonship of India.

DATA/FACT:

KEYWORDS:

• BODY: Viable – Profitable–Sustainable (VPS) Agriculture; Rice wheat culture; Millet Mindfulness; Green Deserts (Monoculture); India as net water exporter; Dual/Tripple Distress;
• CONCLUSION:  5 Rs of water management- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Recharge and Respect; Catch the Rain, ‘Amrit Sarovars’ (Water conservation); From Agriculturists to Agri-preneurs; From Production at Any Cost To Farmer Income Centric Approach; Green Revolution –> 2nd Green Revolution –> Evergreen Revolution

COMMITTEES RECOMMENDATIONS/NATIONAL OR INTERNATIONAL REPORTS:

• Swaminathan committee (on Cropping): recommended balancing staple and cash crops, promoting high-value crops like horticulture, promoting Agro-ecology based climate resilient varieties cropping pattern,
• Mihir Shah Committee (On irrigation): recommended participatory irrigation management, sustainable water use, equity, and technology adoption to enhance irrigation efficiency and agricultural productivity.
• Dalwai Committee on Doubling Farmer income: Diversification into high growth and high-value sub sectors such as horticulture, Livestock, fisheries; subsidies rationalisation; Private investment in new-age infrastructure, focus on precision agriculture and Ease of Doing Agri-business.

GOVT SCHEMES, POLICIES AND INITIATIVE:

• Centre: PM Krishi Sinchayee yojana, Atal Bhujal Yojana, MGNREGA (Small irrigation infra), Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (Funds for water conservation), Micro Irrigation Fund (MIF), Jal Shakti Abhiyan (Catch the Rain & Sahi Fasal campaigns) National seed Policy PMFBY etc
• State: Mission Kakatiya (Telengana), Narmada (Sanchore) (Rajasthan - Micro irrigation technology)

EXAMPLES/CASE STUDIES:

• Bhungroo - Ground water injection well : Gujarat: Injects and stores excess rainfall water underground.
• System of Rice Intensification: SRI technique in Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu, improved water use efficiency in rice cultivation, reducing water usage by 25-30% and increasing yields by 20-30%.
• Traditional Knowledge Water Conservation: Johads: Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan; Kuhls/Kuls: Himachal Pradesh; Bamboo drip irrigation: Meghalaya.
• International: Israel's water use efficiency showcases their innovative technologies and management strategies, allowing them to meet their water needs despite being a water-scarce country.

CONCLUSION

• Cropping pattern: Thus, India needs to transform its cropping systems to help agriculture move from ensuring food security to ‘actively achieving nutritional and ecological security’.
• Millets: The boundless opportunities offered by millet production offers India a chance to Re-learn Traditional Agri Practices and Unlearn Toxic Agri practices, while ensuring nutritional security.
• Irrigation: Universalisation of irrigation (Har Khet Ko Pani) along with improved ‘water use efficiency’ (More Crop Per Drop) should take centre stage among priority agricultural reform measures.

CROPPING & IRRIGATION : MICRO DIAGRAMS

CROPPING PATTERN IN INDIA

FACTORS AFFECTING CROPPING SYSTEM

CONTRIBUTION TO AGRI GVA BY AGRI & ALLIED SECTORS

INDIA’S MILLET ADVANTAGE

IRRIGATION SYSTEM CHALLENGES IN INDIA

STATE OF WATER AVAILABILITY IN INDIA