Water crisis increasing in India
On one hand half of the country is facing devastating flooding, on the other acute water crisis has become big problem for farmers in India. Due to the effect of climate change and extreme weather conditions, a number of people in Asia’s third largest economy are being displaced, losing livelihoods and dying either in result of flood situation or water crunch. All this is happening in the times of coronavirus pandemic.
Impacts of increasing water crisis on agriculture
The second most populous country marks for more then 18.5 percent of the world’s total population. However, the country’s over 1.3 billion population has access to mere four percent water resources of the world. Of that around 90 percent of the ground water is consumed by agriculture sector of the country.
In India, farmers’ first choice wheat and rice along with sugarcane are grown in around 40 percent farmland of the country, and consume over 80 percent irrigation resources. Since the water crisis is rising every year in a number of the regions of India, it is becoming more difficult to provide the required irrigation to the thirsty crops.
Indian farmers rethinking crop choices
Many farmers in India are exploring alternates of their traditional crops due to increasing water crunch in the region every year. The farmer, who had been cultivating wheat and rice for generations, have found it more convincing to go with pearl millet, cow peas, bottle gourd and corn. These crops need around 80 percent less water than rice or wheat, and also require less labor, fertilizer and electricity.
Don’t think that farmers are now in a win-win position after making new crop selections. Wheat and rice crops have been first choice of farmers because they assures table price and guaranteed state purchases. Other cash crops that farmers are looking at as a new choice, don’t guarantee minimum price or government buying. But due to growing water crunch, many farmers want to take this risk so that they can save some water for coming generations.
Risks, challenges due to water crisis in India
The risk and challenges are huge in the country of over 1.3 billions. Global temperature is continuously increasing and overuses is drying up the groundwater. These conditions have presented as threats to lives and livelihoods of the people in the country. Harsh water crisis has left around half of the country’s population to face high to extreme water stress. Poor access to safe water causes death of around two lakh people each year.
Further, the country has emerged as the biggest extractor of groundwater around the globe. India extracts about a quarter of total extraction of groundwater in the world. It’s more than consumed by US and China in combined. The groundwater depletion in the country has increased by 23 percent from 2000 to 2017. Growing water needs and drying up water resources are an alarm for the government to find up a quick solution.
Water solutions for agriculture sector
Coming up with new agricultural plans, government seems pushing farmers to opt for pulses and corns cultivation instead of rice and wheat. This is because the latter consume far more water resources. However, some farm experts call for government to assure procurement of key crops as these produce offer farmers best price. Agriculture activists are also demanding more access for farmers to market and better infrastructural setups, including cold storage.
Severe water shortage in India is an output of rising corporate privatization, growing industrial and human waste of water and no solid government strategy, say experts. Agriculture sector has depleted lots of groundwater over the years with the use of outdated irrigation techniques. These technologies remain a major source of water wastage. Experts suggest farmers to use innovative irrigation techniques like micro-irrigation to achieve better results. Wastewater treatment is also seen as a solution to water shortage.
Water crisis in India is an area of quick concern, especially in agriculture sector. Government, entrepreneurs, activists and other stakeholders must come in action mode immediately to help farmers. So that lives and livelihoods of millions of people in rural and urban areas don’t suffer. Also, agriculture sector can heal through the best solution.
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