India, a nation boasting of a burgeoning population of over 1.2 billion, still swears by two things, the slogan ‘Jai Jawan Jai Kisan’ and Cricket. A slight mention of the Kisan, the farmer, Jawan the mighty soldier and of course the much loved game of Cricket, is enough to invoke passion in each one of us. This passion takes a different hue when it is a game between India and Pakistan. The tension turns palpable, the excitement boundless! At times, a much awaited game is banned and frivolous reasons are given for the same. According to some, IPl should not be played in Maharashtra as several districts in the State are reeling under acute water shortage and it would be criminal to use gallons of precious water in the Wankhede grounds. Jingoism is raised to such a feverish pitch that the focus on the real problem gets shifted to mere symbolism and nothing concrete. The gesture of not playing Cricket in Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai is nothing but a cheap gimmick to gain attention and obviously not a serious effort to conserve water.
It is common knowledge even to a 2nd grader that water is our most scarce natural resource and that life can not sustain without it. like in Cricket, we need to stick to basics to resolve the crises( if our bowlers had ensured not to overstep, we would have won the critical semi-final against West Indies). Similarly, if we had focussed on resolving the water crisis through proper planning, judicial use and education from the very onset, watering the Wankhede grounds wouldn’t seem so barbaric after all. Basic, isn’t itIJ
Over the decades, we have invested in canal irrigation and tube wells in areas where the ancient system of flood irrigation is still in use. According to experts, it is not an efficient method of irrigation as compared to other options. With flood irrigation, only half of the water applied actually ends up irrigating the crop. The other half is lost to evaporation, runoff, infiltration into uncultivated areas and transpiration. Several studies including that of Niti Ayog have highlighted this problem. One of the key factors that adversely affect efficient use of water is the subsidies given to the farmers on power which indirectly promotes wasteful use of water and hastens the decline of water table.
According to a Nasa study, India’s water tables are declining at an alarming rate of 0.3 metres per year. Between 2002-2008, we consumed more than 109 cubic kilometres (cub km) of groundwater, which is double the capacity of India’s largest surface water reservoir, the upper Wainganga. In comparison to China and Brazil, we use 2 to 4 times more water to produce a unit of major food crop. We are also a water exporting country. In 2010, India exported 25 cub km of water embedded in its agricultural exports. This is equivalent to the demand of nearly 13 million people (Economic Survey 2016). China on the other hand is a net importer of water because it imports water-intensive crops like soya beans, cotton and cereal grains and exports water-conserving produce like fruits and vegetables. India on the other hand, exports water-intensive crops like rice, cotton, sugar and soya beans. In addition to this, lower productivity and scarcity of water further aggravate the problem.
It is, therefore, essential to adopt micro irrigation methods as flood irrigation has failed us miserably. Investments need to shift to adopt technologies like sprinklers, drip irrigation and rain water harvesting. All irrigation schemes like Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme, Integrated Watershed Management Programme, On Farm Water Management and Prime Minister’s Krishi Sinchai Yojna should converge towards ensuring maximum benefit right from the water source through distribution and should finally work towards optimum end usage till the last drop. Drip irrigation would provide water to the roots and stems of plants which would eventually reduce consumption of fertilisers and water. Technologies like these are expensive initially but recover the costs quickly through increased yields and reduction in overhead costs like power and fertilisers. Government need to subsidise the investments and give incentives for a wider acceptance of this technology.