Efficiency Concerns of Groundwater Irrigation in Green Revolution States of India: Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) Approach

Abstract

Increased reliance on groundwater for irrigation in India has resulted in its overexploitation, raising concerns about its long-term sustainability. The groundwater situation is severe particularly in the Northern–Western Green Revolution states of Punjab and Haryana. The provision of free (in Punjab) and heavily subsidized (in Haryana) electricity for tube-wells has resulted in the inefficient use of groundwater, which has contributed to its overexploitation. The primary objective of this study is to analyze the technical and groundwater irrigation efficiency of rice and wheat crops on sample farms in both states, as well as to determine the key factors impacting efficiency. This was accomplished using a non-parametric DEA model using cross-sectional data from 400 farms in Punjab and Haryana. The findings demonstrated disparities in both technical and groundwater consumption efficiency levels in both inter-state and intra-state scenarios. In both states, groundwater irrigation efficiency was found to be lower than technical efficiency. The mean technical efficiency for both crops has been found to be over 80% in both states, with irrigation efficiency being around 70%. Tube-well accessibility status, agriculture extension service access, fragmented landholdings, and adherence to standard crop irrigation practices were found to have a positive impact on technical and irrigation efficiency levels in both states.