CROPPING & IRRIGATION

Mains Enrichment Cards 6th September 2023

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CROPPING & IRRIGATION : REVISION CARD

INTRODUCTION:

Cropping Pattern Definition	Cropping pattern refers to the proportion of area under different crops, changes in this distribution over a period of time, and factors determining this change in distribution.
Cropping Pattern Diversity	With a net sown area of 45% and cropping intensity at 150%, multiplicity of cropping systems has been one of the main features of Indian agriculture.
Need For Crop Diversification	Rice and wheat account for 40% of net sown area & 75% of total food production in India, making water intensive agriculture cereal centric, thus, necessitating immediate steps for crop diversification.
Cropping Pattern & Millets	Millets have potential to address twin challenge of malnutrition and unsustainable agricultural practices, yet they have very little area under cultivation (15 mha out of around 140 mha).
Irrigation & Productivity	Irrigation is a critical input to raise the agricultural productivity which is evident from the fact that Irrigated agriculture is at least twice as productive per unit of land as rainfed agriculture.
Irrigation & Water Scarcity	According to the World Resources Institute, India ranks 13th out of 17 most water stressed countries in the world, with agriculture sector consuming 90% of groundwater.

FORMULA BY theIAShub

↑ IRRIGATION = ↓ DROUGHT IMPACT + ↑ SOIL MOISTURE + ↑ AGRI OUTPUT↑ IRRIGATION = ↑ CROP YIELD + ↑ SOIL FERTILITY + ↓ WATER STRESS↑ CROP ROTATION =↑ SOIL HEALTH + ↑ NUTRIENT BALANCE - ↓ PEST BUILDUP

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:

Net Sown Area	Around 45% of total land area (Agri-Census)
Area under Cultivation	Cereals:-> 40% of Net Sown Area (Rice (25%), Wheat (15%)) Coarse Cereals/Nutri Cereals/Millets: -> 10% (Jowar, Bajra, Maize, Ragi, Barley) Pulses: -> 15% (Tur/Pigeon Pea, Gram/Chickpea/Chana) Oilseeds – 13-15% (Groundnut, Soyabean, Rape Seeds, Mustard, Sesame et
Net irrigated area	45% of Area Under Cultivation
Rainfed Agriculture	55% of Area Under Cultivation is Rainfed Rainfed agriculture contributes 40% of the agricultural output. 50% of Total Rural Workforce & 60% of Livestock in Rainfed Areas.
Irrigation Sources	Canal Irrigation (Public) – 30%; Wells & Tubewells (Private) – 60%; Tanks – 5% Area under Micro irrigation – 80 lakh hectares
Irrigation efficiency	Less than 40% (Developed countries – 50-60%)

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.