Theme-V-4-Water scarcity - Causes and management in Punjab.

Abstract

Punjab, the food basket of India, is currently facing water crisis. The total availability of water from different sources is 3.13 mham/y which is less than total demand (4.33 mham/y). Ground water is being used at a rate of 3.12 rnham/y which is more than its recharge (2.14 mham/y). Due to this excessive drafting ground water table is falling down and is threatening the irrigated agriculture of the state. Agriculture is a major consumer (83%) of fresh water, therefore, it is necessary to save water in this sector so that food security of the India is not jeopardized. Many technologies are available which are helpful for saving water in agriculture, like laser leveling (saves upto 26%), control of water loss during conveyance (10-20%), proper selection of crops and their varieties, proper size of plot for planting crops (27%), planting methods (30%), zero tillage (30%), proper scheduling of irrigation (35%) and drip/sprinkler systems of irrigation can save upto 50 per cent of water.