Chapter 2 Water Management in Agriculture
2.5. P OLICY R ECOMMENDATIONS
2.5.2. Suggestions for rainfed areas
government procurement.
2.5.2. Suggestions for rainfed areas
emissions; and increase in system profitability by 10–15 profitability.
The crops such as sunhemp, greengram, cucumber and ridge gourd quickly cover the ground surface within 45 days. These crops reduce runoff and splash erosion and non-productive evaporation from the ground surface. With cover cropping in kharif, there are yield advantages in various rabi crops and substantial gain in overall system profitability.
Table 2.3 Green water management interventions and implementation strategies in different rainfed regions
Rainfed region Rainwater management
techniques Increase in yield Implementation
strategy Rainfed regions
having average annual rainfall of < 500 mm
Land leveling, bunding, conservation furrow system, mulching
Increase in crop yields upto 80 per cent
Demonstrations and skill
enhancement of farmers through KVKS and upscaling through State Agricultural Departments and convergence with the other development schemes like MGNREGS and and PMKSY.
Rainfed regions having average annual rainfall of 500-1000 mm
Land leveling, bunding, ridge and furrow, furrow irrigated raised beds, sub- soiling, broad bed and furrow, mulching, direct seeded paddy and wheat cultivation
Increase in crop yields upto 85 per cent
Rainfed regions having average annual rainfall of >1000 mm
Bunding, ridge and furrow and raised bed furrow systems, mulching direct seeded paddy and wheat cultivation
Increase in crop yields upto 85 per cent
Rainfed regions having average annual rainfall of < 500 mm
Dug out and embankment type farm ponds/ percolation ponds / silt removal of tanks Earthen / stone / bori bund checkdams, and artificial groundwater recharge structures
Water level in open wells increased significantly by 3 m; Crop yield increased by 3.0q/ha (45 %) and higher income of Rs. 12,000/ha realized. Cropping intensity increased by 125 per cent.
Rainfed regions having average annual rainfall of 500-1000 mm
Dug out and embankment type farm ponds/ percolation ponds /tanks and silt removal of tanks stone / bori bund checkdams, and artificial groundwater recharge structures
Water level in open wells increased significantly by 4.5 m. Crop yields were increased by 50 per cent cropping intensity increased by 150 per cent.
Rainfed regions Dug out and embankment Water level in open wells
Rainfed region Rainwater management
techniques Increase in yield Implementation
strategy having average
annual rainfall of >1000 mm
type farm ponds/tank silt removal Permanent masonry concrete checkdams, and artificial groundwater recharge structures
increased significantly by 4.5 m; Crop yields increased by 50 per cent, and an additional net return of Rs. 15,000 to 22,000/ ha;
Rabi cropped area increased by 2 times (ii) Rain water harvesting
The construction of low cost check dams with available local materials, masonry check dams, and renovation of non-functional water bodies can significantly contribute in storing the rainwater, improving ground water recharge, bringing areas under protective irrigation and increasing cropping intensity in rainfed regions. The construction of low cost check dams at upper reaches and new check dams or renovation of non-functional old structures in the streams of lower reaches can be gainfully implemented under various Central schemes such as PMKSY, MGNREGS, and RKVY. In hilly areas, cost-intensive harvesting structures may not be sustainable and economical due to difficult terrain, slope, high rainfall and excessive run- off. Considering this, small water harvesting structures may be more effective. It is seen that one farm pond of a capacity of 1 to 2 TMC (thousand million cubic) can provide protective irrigation to about 6 to 8 ha of cultivable area.
Check dams play a major role in catching run-off and storing rainwater. A check dam holds an irrigation potential of about 4 to 5 ha directly or / and indirectly when surrounding wells gets recharged. Big check dams can even irrigate upto 50 ha in good locations with larger catchment area. Encouraging trends of funds utilisation under various programmes in recent decades for small-scale harvesting structures in rainfed region reiterates the relevance of this technology.
It is observed that various natural water bodies, ancient / traditional water harvesting structures, farm ponds, nalas etc. have been silted up losing water holding capacity. The desiltation of these structures would not only provide economic gains by making water available for crop production and silt for the field.
(iii) Water budgeting
Water is most efficiently used, if a proper water budget is developed for a particular village/watershed based on systematic analysis of demand and supply positions. There is need for awareness campaign, skill development and capacity building of farmers for most effective use of the precious water resources. Role of village level institutions becomes more significant towards this end. Panchayats need to take the responsibility in managing water resources through water budgeting, accounting and allocating water to specific farmers/ household.
Various examples like Hivere Bazar, Penagram etc. are successful examples of drought proofing through efficient demand and supply management involving village level institutions.
A mission mode approach for involving Panchayats in water budgeting is the call of the day.
(iv) Organic farming
Extensive promotion of organic farming and compost would help in higher moisture conservation. It has been observed that organic content in the soil improves water retention capacity by upto 80 per cent. More the water available in the soil profile less will be the demand for application of water from external sources for crop production. There is plenty of scope for converting rural and urban organic waste to compost for improving soil health as well as water retention capacity.
(v) Artificial recharge
Ground water recharge depends on soil, hydrologic and hydro-geologic conditions, besides being governed by many local conditions. Various soil and water conservation structures under watershed treatment including farm ponds, check dams, percolation tanks, in-situ and ex-situ moisture conservation measures make significant contribution to ground water recharge.
However, natural recharge is not sufficient to cater to the needs of groundwater aquifer at all locations. In such case, artificial recharging of aquifer is a basic necessity. Recharge filter is designed to deliver a substantial quantum of sediment-free water to open / tube wells through a buried pipe line. Artificial recharge structures reinforced by surface storage structures showed significant water table rise to about 14 m (pre-monsoon) and 22 m (post-monsoon) in Antisar watershed of Gujarat between 2002-2007. The natural and artificial ground water recharge techniques and participatory groundwater sharing system in rainfed areas is an important subject to be addressed for enhancing productivity and income.
(vi) Crop alignment
A farming system involving higher water use which is not compatible with the water availability status of the ecosystem is unfortunately common in many rainfed areas, rendering it drought vulnerable. Crop and land use planning based on land and agro-ecological capability is one of the priority concerns. Crop alignment and crop diversification from high water consuming to low water consuming crops based on agro ecological condition, is useful.
Specific incentives for promoting crop alignment to transfer economic gains to the farmers are required. Besides, dis-incentivizing activities not compatible to the agro-ecology, through programme and schemes of various ministries/department may be useful. A reorientation of research on rainfed farming, and rainfed oriented livestock systems, small ruminants in particular, is the need of the hour.
2.5.3. Suggestions common to both irrigated and rainfed area