SUSTAINABLE IRRIGATION WATER MANAGEMENT: CONTEXT OF NATIONAL WATER POLICY

Abstract

The basic dynamics of irrigation development in India are changing. In the past there has been sufficient water and land available to expand the irrigated area. This is no longer the case, with both good quality land and adequate water now constraining further development in many states. Many states are now entering a period of vertical integration, where better management of existing irrigation systems rather than construction of new schemes predominate. This transition will require new skills and expertise within Irrigation Departments if they are to meet the current and upcoming challenges. As we have stepped into the twenty first century, the new frontier is boosting water productivity, getting more from lesser amount of water devoted to crop production. Improving the performance of completed MMI schemes has been the main focus of the NWM and the 12th FYP and set a target of increasing the WUE by 20%. WUE studies carried out by the CWC on 30 MMI schemes indicates that in nine schemes WUE was found to be less than 30 percent and the average was 38 percent. The NWM and 12th FYP targets the average figure would need to rise to 46% by the end of the plan period. Water measurement and quantification, participatory irrigation management, conjunctive use of surface and ground water, integrated water resource management, modernization of irrigation systems, demand based delivery of irrigation water, large scale promotion of water saving crop production technologies, expansion of micro irrigation into canal command areas are some of the areas identified for sustainable management of irrigation water.