Micro-irrigation in Indian Agriculture-progress, impact and estimation of indicative cost

Abstract

Agriculture sector is the largest consumer of total water resources available in India. In view of increasing demand from all sectors of economy, declining availability and changing climate necessitates to bring down the use of water in agriculture below 50 percent from its present level. Hence, it is being emphasized to adopt innovative agricultural technologies (micro-irrigation methods), crops/cropping system requiring low water and development of drought tolerant varieties. In present scenario, the micro-irrigation methods are being seen as an alternative for increasing water use efficiency in agriculture. This article describes significance of micro irrigation, progress made, farm level impacts, and estimate of indicative cost to be required for the adoption of potential area to be brought under this technology.