‘Modern irrigation techniques can reduce water usage by 50%’

LUCKNOW:Water could be saved by up to 50% in farms if suitable irrigation techniques were adopted, said experts at a workshop organised by the central water commission (CWC) here on Friday. Participants discussed various methods of improving water usage efficiency in agriculture.

“Even fertiliser wastage can be minimised if water is transported to crops via pipes instead of earth canals,” said Shiva Prakash, director, monitoring and appraisal, CWC.

Explaining further, he said, “When water travels through earth, a lot of it gets soaked and is wasted. However, if a technique such as drip irrigation is used,

›

Fertiliser wastage can also be minimised if water is transported to crops via pipes instead of earth canals.

SHIVA PRAKASH, director, monitoring and appraisal, CWC

water will directly go into the roots of the crops. Thus, less water will be required to irrigate the entire field. Also, the fertiliser too wouldn’t go deep inside the ground along with excess water.” Experts also discussed the various ways in which farmers could benefit by adopting new irrigation methods that were not only cost-effective but also reduced their effort.

They shared information on how the central and the state governments were offering subsidies to farmers who used modern and water-saving irrigation techniques.

For farmers with land measuring less than two acres, the central government gave 50% and the state government gave 40% subsidy, resulting in farmers having to bear just 10% of the cost, they said. For farmers owning more than two acre land, the total subsidy amounted to 80%, they added.