Mobility paves Samsung’s silver path
The Korean giant’s early bet on mobile phones helped it hit the $10-bn mark in India, but in its 25th year it ...
Around 89 per cent of groundwater extracted is used for irrigation and crops such as paddy, and sugarcane consume more than 60 per cent of irrigation water
India’s Met Department (IMD) has projected less rains in some region which could affect the crop production in those areas, the Economic Survey said, and called for framing new policies to improve water use efficiency in the agriculture sector.
Expressing concern that India will be in the global hot spot for ‘water insecurity’ by 2050, it said the focus in agriculture should shift from ‘land productivity’ to ‘irrigation water productivity’. “Therefore, devising policies to incentivise farmers to adopt efficient ways of water use should become a national priority to avert the looming water crisis,” the survey added.
The IMD has predicted near normal southwest monsoon this year. However, there was 33 per cent deficient in rainfall during June that led to less coverage of kharif crops. IMD has also said that rains in July and August would be good. “IMD has predicted the rainfall over the country as a whole is likely to be near normal this year. This should lead to improvement in agriculture sector growth. However, according to IMD, some regions are expected to receive less than normal rains. This could prove to be detrimental for crop production in certain affected areas,” the survey said.
Also read: June ends with rain deficit at 33%, but monsoon gains second wind
Noting that the country’s agriculture is highly dependent on water, the Economic Survey said there is a major concern whether the present practice of groundwater use can be sustained as the depth of the groundwater level continues to drop.
Around 89 per cent of groundwater extracted is used for irrigation and crops such as paddy, and sugarcane consume more than 60 per cent of irrigation water, it said. “Focus should shift from land productivity to ‘irrigation water productivity’ Therefore devising policies to incentivise farmers to improve water use should become a national priority,” it suggested.
Related: Interactive: Parched and thirsty - the new reality
Thrust should be on micro-irrigation (MI) that can improve water use efficiency, the survey said, suggesting the government to replace subsidies to MI supporting cropping pattern in view of high cost of installation. A combination of measures, which suit the local agro-economic context, need to be applied to improve irrigation productivity in agriculture that will reflect sustainable water use in agriculture, it said.
Observing that fertilizer response ratio has been declining over time, the survey said organic and natural farming techniques, including Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF), can improve both water use efficiency and soil fertility.
Adopting appropriate technologies through Custom Hiring Centers and implementation of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) are critical to improve resource use efficiency among small and marginal farmers, it said.
That apart, diversification of livelihoods is critical for inclusive and sustainable development in agriculture and allied sectors. Policies should focus on dairying, livestock rearing particularly of small ruminants and fisheries sector, it added.
Stating that farmer sector growth witnessed tapering in 2018-19, the survey said the share of farm sector in total Gross Value Added (GVA) has been consistently falling and now stands at 16.1 per cent in the last fiscal. The agriculture sector had investment rate much less than half of that of services and industry sectors. As per the third Advance Estimates released by the agriculture ministry, the total production of foodgrains during 2018-19 is estimated at 283.4 million tonnes, as compared to 285 million tonnes in 2017-18 crop year (July-June).
The Korean giant’s early bet on mobile phones helped it hit the $10-bn mark in India, but in its 25th year it ...
Antrix should adopt a different tactic than merely fighting over jurisdiction: Experts
Invest in relationships, enterprise, behaviour, effort and learning
From different types of osmoses to new membranes, researchers have come up with ways of drawing water
Only half the Sensex stocks have bettered the index’s return in the last 10,000-point journey
High valuation and stiff competition from larger players are a dampener
Investors with a short-term perspective can buy The New India Assurance Company (NIACL) stock at current ...
₹1490 • HDFC Bank S1S2R1R2COMMENT 1475146015051520 Fresh short positions are recommended with a stiff ...
What makes the new crop of young Indian cricketers such game-changing winners? Over and above their talent, ...
In these isolated times when people yearn for a slice of the familiar, amateur and professional chefs are ...
‘You ready to go to work?’ Joe Biden had asked Kamala Harris before naming her as his running mate. ‘Oh my ...
Writer Narendra’s latest book, rich with vignettes from Bastar and his native village in Uttar Pradesh, ...
Digital is becoming dominant media, but are companies and their ad agencies transforming fast enough to make a ...
Slow Network, promoted by journalist-lyricist Neelesh Misra, pushes rural products and experiences
How marketers can use the traditional exchange of festive wishes meaningfully
For Fortune, a brand celebrating its 20th anniversary, it was a rude shock to become the butt of social media ...
Three years after its inception, compliance with GST procedures remains a headache for exporters, job workers ...
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives of companies are altering the prospects for wooden toys of ...
Aequs Aerospace to create space for large-scale manufacture of toys at Koppal
And it has every reason to smile. Covid-19 has triggered a consumer shift towards branded products as ...
Please Email the Editor