On World Water Day 2024, Professor Ramesh Chand of Niti Aayog highlighted the essential want for sustainable agricultural practices in India to fight the escalating water disaster. Talking at an occasion organized by Dhanuka Group in New Delhi, Chand emphasised the extreme water consumption in Indian agriculture, significantly within the cultivation of water-intensive crops like paddy and sugarcane. He identified that regardless of vital funding in irrigation infrastructure between 1995 and 2015, the realm underneath irrigation stagnated, demanding a strategic overhaul initiated by the central authorities in 2015.

Revising Crop Cultivation Patterns

Chand pressured the significance of aligning crop cultivation with native environmental circumstances, particularly transferring away from Rabi crops that depend on scarce rainfall. He advocated for a strategic shift in agricultural practices that will not solely improve water effectivity but additionally mitigate the impression of local weather change on farming. The emphasis on selling Kharif and Summer season crops, which align higher with India’s monsoon patterns, was recognized as a vital step in the direction of sustainability.

Enhancing Irrigation Effectivity

Addressing the stagnation within the space underneath irrigation, Chand celebrated the central authorities’s efforts since 2015 which have resulted in a gradual improve in irrigated lands. PK Singh, Agriculture Commissioner for the federal government of India, echoed the necessity for revolutionary approaches to irrigation. Singh highlighted ongoing efforts to maximise using floor water in partnership with the Jal Shakti ministry, aiming to develop irrigation protection with out rising water consumption.

Sustainable Practices and Future Instructions

The decision for a paradigm shift in Indian agriculture in the direction of extra sustainable practices is bolstered by the dire want to deal with water shortage and guarantee meals safety. The adoption of strategies like drip irrigation, rainwater harvesting, and using water-efficient merchandise are steps in the precise course. Authorities initiatives like Mission Amrit Sarovar and personal sector contributions are pivotal in driving the change in the direction of sustainable water administration in agriculture.

As India faces the daunting problem of water shortage, the insights shared by Professor Ramesh Chand and PK Singh make clear the pressing want for collaborative, revolutionary, and sustainable options. The transfer in the direction of sustainable agricultural practices isn’t just essential for conserving water but additionally for guaranteeing the long-term viability of India’s agriculture sector. The efforts to revamp irrigation practices and align crop cultivation with environmental circumstances mark the start of a major shift in the direction of sustainability in Indian agriculture.