13-Oct-2023-Editorial

SHIFTING TO MILLETS INCREASES GROUNDWATER RECHARGE MORE THAN DRIP IRRIGATION IN INDIA’S NORTHERN PLAINS: STUDY

A recent study has explored the potential benefits of shifting crop patterns from rice and wheat to millets in the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP) region of India. The study suggests that such a transition can significantly reduce water consumption, increase farmers’ profits, and improve food production. This approach is particularly relevant in addressing the challenges posed by groundwater depletion and unsustainable agricultural practices in the region.

Indo-Gangetic plains (IGP):

• Stretching from Punjab in the west-to-West Bengal in the east, IGP is the most populated region in the country, with a population of 400 million people.
• Of the country’s total food production, 30 percent comes from these three states, which are a part of a groundwater-dominated food system- cereal production in the IGP.

Irrigation Challenges in the Indo-Gangetic Plains:

• The IGP has witnessed a notable decline in groundwater levels, raising concerns about the sustainability of current agricultural practices.
• Groundwater depletion has been a consequence of the intensive cultivation of rice and wheat, primarily supported by irrigation, with a substantial reliance on groundwater sources.

Research Scope:

• The study was conducted by six researchers from various institutions.
• It focused on 124 districts in three Indian states: Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal, encompassing the upper, middle, and lower Ganga basin.

Key Findings:

Crop Switching Benefits:

• Transitioning from rice to millets (such as pearl millet and sorghum) during the Kharif season and from wheat to sorghum during the Rabi season could reduce water consumption by 32%.
• Farmers’ profits could increase by 140% with this approach.
• Calorie production could improve by 39%.

Water Savings:

• Under the optimized crop replacement scenario, water savings of 55% in the Kharif season and 9% in the Rabi season can be achieved.

Comparison with Drip Irrigation:

• The study compared crop switching with improving irrigation efficiency through drip irrigation.
• It found that crop switching resulted in larger reductions in groundwater depletion and energy savings.

Combining Strategies:

• A combination of crop switching and drip irrigation yielded the most significant improvements, reducing groundwater depletion by 78% at the district level.

Multi-Objective Approach:

• The researchers developed a multi-objective optimization model to reallocate cropped areas. The model aimed to maximize calorie production and farmers’ profits while minimizing water consumption.
• A multi-objective approach was emphasized to achieve a balance between reducing water consumption, increasing food production, and enhancing farmers’ incomes.

Consumer Benefits:

Shifting from rice and wheat to nutri cereals, primarily sorghum and bajra, can provide consumers with more micronutrients and proteins, addressing nutritional needs.

Conclusion:

The study highlights the potential of crop switching, particularly to millets, as a strategy to address water consumption, increase farmer incomes, and enhance food production in the Indo-Gangetic Plains. This approach offers a multi-dimensional solution to the challenges of unsustainable agricultural practices and groundwater depletion in the region.