Irrigation scenario in Punjab efficiency in water use and its determinants

Abstract

The present study traced the evolution of irrigation in Punjab, especially tubewell irrigation that was encouraged with the advent of the green revolution technology. It analysed complementary relationships that are the effects of a skewed structure of irrigation, in terms of cropping pattern and the impact of such intertwined relationships on the critical resources of the state. The study also explored the electricity-irrigation nexus, and quantified the excess in both ground water irrigation applied and the electricity used in the state s agriculture, specifically, in water intensive paddy cultivation, based on practices recommended by PAU. The study is based on both secondary and primary research. For primary research, a semi structure interview was used for a sample size of 320 farmers in Punjab, across 4 districts, 8 blocks and 16 villages, with different relevant criteria for selection of the sample set at each stage. newlineThe study found considerable inefficiencies in input usage in Punjab s dominant cropping pattern, especially, irrigation water, implying potential irrigation water savings to the tune 6 million cubic metre in paddy cultivation, amongst the sample farmers. It was found that excessive application of family labour led to inefficiencies, and lack of access to extension services, lack of use of input saving technology, and lack for economic incentives to use water efficiently by paying for it, were factors causing inefficiencies. Greater use of resource saving technology and access to relevant extension services emerged as the two key feasible targets for achieving input efficiency in Punjab. newline newline