Water Management for More Crops per Drop in the Coastal Areas

Abstract

The availability and distribution of fresh water has steadily emerged as an important global issue in agriculture as it is directly linked with the food production system. The recent changes in rainfall pattern, projected decrease in per capita availability of water, water pollution due to increased human activities, and the ever-increasing demand for multiple use of water exert pressure on the already constrained water resources. Consequently rainwater harvesting and its judicious use should form the centre of any developmental strategy to increase agricultural production. Different methods are employed for rainwater harvesting and its efficient use to increase which are based on the local conditions. Protected cultivation, micro irrigation, land leveling, and use of water-efficient crops improve water productivity. The details are discussed in this chapter with some case examples and illustrations.