Increasing efficient water and energy use in agriculture

BACKGROUND Efficient consumption of energy and water – both crucial resources for agriculture – can be improved by their comanagement by farmers, state governments, groundwater agencies and distribution companies (DISCOMs). Pilot studies have observed that electricity can be conserved using efficient pumping system in place. But the commercial viability of such plans and their benefits…

Micro-sprinkler irrigation for efficient use of water

An affordable and farmer-friendly micro-irrigation system to conserve water in Kerala BACKGROUND Properly designed drip and sprinkler systems typically achieve highly efficient use of water. However, the large-scale adoption by farmers of a drip or sprinkler system is constrained by factors such as the sophisticated design of components, frequent clogging of emitters and high initial…

Promoting Direct Seeding of Rice

BACKGROUND The East India Plateau (EIP), comprising major parts of Jharkhand and some parts of adjoining West Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa, is one of the poorest regions of India. It is characterized by high but unevenly distributed rainfall (1,100–1,600 mm, 80 percent received from June to September), frequent and sometimes long dry spells within the…

Increasing productivity of small farmers through micro-irrigation

Flexible micro-irrigation kits enable the judicious use of groundwater in eight Indian states BACKGROUND Small farm holders comprise around 75 percent of India’s farming group, who typically cultivate plots less than a hectare in size and remain trapped in vicious cycle of hunger and poverty. Smallholders by the virtue of dearth of resources remain restricted…

Roof rainwater harvesting for increasing access to potable water

A community managed the system for rainwater harvesting in the saline region of Haryana BACKGROUND Increased salinity is an important reason for deteriorating water quality. Salinity is caused by a relatively high concentration of dissolved salts in the water. Increased demand for groundwater has led to overexploitation and depletion of groundwater tables. Depletion affects the…