Challenges in Securing India's Water Future

Abstract

The agriculture sector in India accounts for more than 85% of the total water use for irrigation. Within irrigation, the share of groundwater in the net irrigated area is around 50% to 55%, which is responsible for two-thirds of the total agricultural production. Agriculture also accounts for non-point-source pollution that arises from excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides. The Green Revolution was partly based on increased fertilizer use and intensive irrigation. During the past three decades, food production was tripled and poverty witnessed a decline. However, agriculture intensification led to overexploitation and pollution of groundwater resources, causing degradation of the environment and depletion of natural resources. Over and above, absence of significant public investment in surface water-based irrigation infrastructure, free or highly subsidized electricity, unregulated groundwater pumping, and irrational pricing policies have promoted cropping choices independent of resource endowments of water and energy. Over the long term, the current trends toward resource depletion and degradation, combined with a lack of proper reforms and policies that ensure agricultural sustainability and threats from climate change, pose a huge risk to farmers' income and can force poorer farmers out of the agricultural sector. In turn, these problems would lead to increased migration and poverty and decreased crop production, which are serious threats to food security. In this paper, we have discussed various challenges to water sustainability and food security of India.