Significance of Water

Water is crucial for agricultural production in India, which is a major contributor to GDP and employment. The country has diverse water resources, but there are challenges in managing them. India receives a large amount of precipitation annually, but there are variations in rainfall distribution. Out of the available water resources, only a portion is replaceable. Due to population growth and economic development, the demand for water will continue to increase, leading to water scarcity. Agriculture accounts for a significant portion of water consumption in the country, especially through groundwater irrigation. It is important to use water wisely and effectively for sustainable agriculture. Water is an important natural resource for increasing agricultural production. Agriculture remains the primary livelihood for a significant portion of India's population, contributing substantially to GDP and employment. With over 60% of cultivated land relying on irrigation, water is India's principle for sustaining crop production and ensuring food security. India's diverse agroclimatic zones and river bases offer a range of water resources, from perennial rivers to groundwater aquifers, each facing unique management challenges. On an average, India receives annual precipitation of about 4,000 cubic kilometers. However, there exist considerable spatial and temporal variations in the distribution of rainfall and hence in the availability of water in time and space across the country. It is estimated that out of the 4,000 cubic kilometers of water, 1,869 cubic kilometers is the average annual potential flow in rivers available as a water resource. Out of this total available water resource, only 1,123 cubic kilometers is replaceable and the water demand in 2000 was 634 cubic kilometers and it is likely to be 1,093 cubic kilometers by the year 2025. Due to rapid rise in population and growing economy of the country, there will be a continuous increase in demand for water and it will become scarce in the coming decades. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, agriculture accounts for approximately 80% of India's total water consumption, highlighting its central role in water demand. Groundwater irrigation supports over 60% of India's irrigated area, with states like Punjab and Haryana heavily reliant on groundwater for agriculture. Hence, in order to have a sustainable agriculture, there is every need to replace the water judiciously and effectively.