14-October-2024-Special-Article

GROUNDWATER DEPLETION IN NORTHERN INDIA: STUDY BY IIT GANDHINAGAR

A recent study by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Gandhinagar has found that shifting approximately 40% of the area currently under rice cultivation to alternative crops could help restore between 60 and 100 cubic kilometers of groundwater in northern India, which has been depleted since 2000.

The study emphasizes the need for significant changes in crop patterns to address groundwater depletion and highlights the role of climate change in aggravating this issue.

Key Findings of the Study

Impact of Rice Cultivation

• Rice farming in northern India is heavily dependent on groundwater for irrigation, making it a major contributor to groundwater depletion.
• Current agricultural practices are unsustainable and threaten to exhaust groundwater resources further if they continue without change.

Groundwater Loss Due to Climate Change

• The continued rise in global temperatures, combined with current agricultural practices, has led to a decline in groundwater levels, with losses estimated between 13 and 43 cubic kilometers.
• Global warming of 1.5 to 3°C could result in minimal groundwater recovery, further worsening the situation.

The Role of Climate Change

• The 2018 Special Report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) on Global Warming warns that if current trends continue, global temperatures will rise by 1.5°C between 2030 and 2050, and may reach 3°C by 2100.
• Such warming will exacerbate groundwater depletion and reduce the effectiveness of any recovery measures.

Recommendations from the Study

Need for Crop Diversification

• To protect groundwater resources, the study advocates altering cropping patterns, particularly in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.
• Shifting to alternative crops, such as cereals in Uttar Pradesh and oilseeds in West Bengal, can reduce groundwater use while still supporting farmers’ incomes.

Policy Implications

• The study suggests that policies should focus on optimizing crop patterns to manage groundwater sustainably in irrigated regions of northern India.
• It emphasizes that new crop patterns should be designed in a way that ensures farmers can continue to make a living.

Challenges to Sustainable Agriculture in India

Water Scarcity

• The reliance on water-intensive crops like rice, along with inefficient irrigation methods, has caused significant groundwater depletion, leading to water shortages in many regions.

Climate Change

• Increasing temperatures, unpredictable rainfall, and extreme weather events such as floods and droughts are creating uncertainty for farmers, making it difficult to maintain stable crop yields.

Fragmented Landholdings

• Small and fragmented farm plots make it difficult to implement modern farming techniques, mechanization, or efficient resource management, which are crucial for sustainable agriculture.

Overuse of Chemical Inputs

• Excessive use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides has led to environmental damage, including soil degradation and water pollution, threatening long-term productivity.

Inadequate Policy Support

• Government policies currently do not provide enough incentives to encourage the adoption of sustainable farming practices, limiting the transition to more eco-friendly agricultural methods.

Government Initiatives to Promote Sustainable Agriculture

Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER)

• This initiative promotes organic farming in the North-Eastern region, helping farmers shift to eco-friendly farming practices and create value chains for organic produce.

National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture

• This mission focuses on promoting climate-resilient agricultural practices and sustainable resource management to improve the sustainability of Indian agriculture.

Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)

• PKVY aims to promote organic farming across the country, supporting farmers in transitioning to traditional and chemical-free farming methods.

Sub-Mission on Agroforestry (SMAF)

• This sub-mission promotes agroforestry practices to enhance soil fertility, reduce water use, and provide farmers with additional sources of income through tree-based farming systems.

Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY)

• RKVY supports innovation and development in agriculture by funding projects that focus on sustainable farming techniques and improving productivity.

Way Forward for Sustainable Agriculture

Promote Water-Efficient Practices

• Encourage the adoption of water-saving technologies like drip irrigation and rainwater harvesting. Shifting to less water-intensive crops will also help tackle the water scarcity crisis.

Farmer Training and Awareness

• Organize widespread training programs to educate farmers about sustainable practices like organic farming, crop rotation, agroforestry, and integrated pest management.

Strengthen Policy and Incentives

• Develop stronger government policies that offer financial support, subsidies, and tax benefits for adopting sustainable farming practices, which will encourage a broader transition to eco-friendly agriculture.

Improve Access to Technology and Markets

• Make sustainable farming technologies more accessible to farmers and create efficient supply chains to help them sell organic produce at fair prices.

Encourage Research and Innovation

• Invest in research focused on developing climate-resilient crops, eco-friendly agricultural inputs, and advanced sustainable farming techniques, while promoting collaboration between research institutions and farmers.

Conclusion

The IIT Gandhinagar study sheds light on the urgent need to shift crop patterns in northern India to address groundwater depletion and climate change. Implementing sustainable agricultural practices, alongside policy support and farmer education, is essential for ensuring water security and maintaining agricultural productivity in the long run.

Mains Question:

1. “Critically analyze the impact of rice cultivation on groundwater depletion in northern India, highlighting the role of climate change and suggesting sustainable agricultural practices to address this issue.” (150 WORDS)