Creative farmer games teach judicious use of water in agriculture

Participatory aquifer mapping and crop water budgeting to change farmers behavior in Andhra Pradesh BACKGROUND Anantapur is a particularly water-distressed district in Andhra Pradesh. In 2010-12, 76% of the total area irrigated is serviced by tube wells, an increase from 44% in the period 1998-2001. During the same period, the area irrigated by dug wells…

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…

Water and energy conservation through Tensiometer device

A low-cost, farmer-friendly device to measure soil moisture by saving water and energy in paddy irrigation in Punjab BACKGROUND Indian Punjab is a leading agricultural state, with about 4.2 million hectares (mha) of net area sown and almost one million operational land holdings. Introduction of high yielding varieties of rice and wheat coupled with assured irrigation…