Both urban and rural communities face serious issues related to water for different but equally pressing reasons. The primarily agricultural rural households need water not only for household uses but also for supporting their livelihood – cultivation and livestock. The farming sector in India consumes over 80 percent of the country's freshwater resources, much higher than China, a nation of comparable size and population.
Indian farmers draw 63 percent of the water they need to irrigate their fields from the ground using tube wells. Canals carrying surface water meet only 26 percent of their irrigation needs--and even that with significant geographical variations.
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In June 2024, Moody's, the international credit rating and research agency, cautioned that India's escalating water scarcity could jeopardise its economic growth by affecting agricultural and industrial sectors and leading to a rise in food prices. The issue of water security is acute and complex, impacting several stakeholders with conflicting demands.
What are the key factors contributing to water scarcity in India?
The complex relationship between climate change and the limited availability of water resources is often not discussed. Climate change has a substantial impact on water supply as it alters precipitation patterns, aggravating droughts.
However, despite this pessimism, there is some good news from the ground: water security has significantly improved through the efforts of communities supported by civil society organisations. Here are four short initiatives that leave us optimistic for the future.
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Promoting Water-Efficient Crops and Techniques in One-Acre Farming
The Swayam Shikshan Prayog (SSP) collaborates with female farmers of the Osmanabad (Dharashiv) district in the Marathwada region of Maharashtra to facilitate the implementation of a pioneering approach known as one-acre farming. Aimed to encourage farmers to embrace water-efficient crops and techniques on one-acre plots, the model involves utilising a part of their ancestral property to cultivate food crops, including vegetables, millets, and pulses. This agricultural practice is crucial for guaranteeing food security to families in drought-prone areas. The efficacy of this method has resulted in its widespread acceptance among numerous women, who have showcased the advantages of this model to their families and have begun implementing it on more expansive tracts of land. SSP has assisted women farmers in expanding their market reach by establishing farmer-producer groups.
Solutions for harvesting natural water led by the community
PRADAN faced a unique challenge in the plateau regions of West Bengal. These areas have hilly terrain, and the combination of heavy rainfall and deforestation has led to significant soil erosion. To actively engage the community, PRADAN partnered with self-help groups (SHGs) consisting of women, village-level organisations, and cluster-level federations. They established a project management unit to facilitate coordination between local civil society organisations and gram panchayats to develop comprehensive strategies for water conservation.
Implementing Internet of Things (IoT) technologies to enhance water efficiency in agriculture
The Centres for International Projects Trust (CIPT) works with farmer cooperatives in Punjab to promote water-efficient farming practices for paddy and wheat cultivation, utilising innovative technologies. For instance, they have introduced soil moisture monitors using IoT technology to estimate the necessary water quantity. When the fields require water, the sensors send helpful text messages to farmers, who then irrigate their crops based on this information. This helps conserve both water and energy.
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Educating female agricultural water experts to optimise resource utilisation
In Balrampur, an economically disadvantaged district in northeastern Uttar Pradesh, People's Action for National Integration (PANI) has trained female specialists in agricultural water management. These specialists help farmers implement simple yet innovative farming techniques to optimise resource utilisation, enhance productivity, and increase financial gains. Farmers are encouraged to change their traditional practices by participating in video sessions to learn about new irrigation methods, attending field demonstrations, and gaining access to high-quality seeds, bio-inputs, market connections, and other resources.
Way Forward
The water crisis in India is a complex issue influenced by climate change, population growth, industrialisation, and ineffective agriculture methods. A holistic strategy is necessary to tackle this situation effectively, encompassing policy reforms, technology advancements, and sustainable water management methods. Measures such as rainwater collecting, wastewater recycling, and promoting water-efficient crops can aid in mitigating the effects. Furthermore, enhancing public consciousness and promoting community engagement is crucial to guarantee water security for future cohorts.
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(Shraman Jha is CEO, Hindustan Unilever Foundation)
