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NEWS ALERTS | Vast gaps in Irrigation potential & utilization
Vast gaps in Irrigation potential & utilization

Vast gaps in Irrigation potential & utilization

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published Published on Sep 15, 2014   modified Modified on Sep 16, 2014
In the midst of irregular monsoons affecting agriculture, a new report shows stagnation in the state of irrigation infrastructure. The recent report entitled Infrastructure Statistics 2014 (Third Issue) by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has provided information that despite the rise in expenditure on irrigation infrastructure, there has been no substantial improvement in the gross irrigation potential utilized*.

Athough expenditure on irrigation has increased from Rs. 36561.64 crores in 2007-08 to Rs. 50654.62 crore in 2011-12, gross irrigation potential utilized has actually fallen during the same period. Given the existence of high rate of inflation during the period under consideration, the rise in actual allocations (i.e. inflation adjusted expenditure) for irrigation may not be huge. One can also notice the yawning gap between approved outlay and actual expenditure on irrigation infrastructure over the years (i.e. from 2007-08 to 2011-12) (please click here to access the data).

The report by MoSPI shows that although the gross ultimate irrigation potential** has improved from 1971.42 thousand hectares in 2007-08 to 2177.42 thousand hectares in 2011-12 (with ups and downs in between), gross irrigation potential utilized has not increased commensurately (please click here to access the data). In fact, the latter has fallen from 673.22 thousand hectares in 2007-08 to 486.46 thousand hectares in 2011-12 (also check the report link in the references). Therefore, irrigation potential utilized as a percentage of ultimate irrigation potential created was 22.34 percent in 2011-12.

It is essential to look at the present irrigation infrastructure of the country because irrigation reduces the vulnerability of farmers to unpredicted rains and other external shocks, thus enhancing their chances of higher productivity and better incomes.

The irrigation potential utilized in case of major and medium irrigation*** has increased from 234.48 thousand hectares in 2007-08 to 289.81 thousand hectares in 2011-12. However, irrigation potential utilized for minor irrigation**** has declined from 438.74 thousand hectares in 2007-08 to 196.65 thousand hectares in 2011-12.

From table 1, it can be seen that among the states, the irrigation potential is highest in the state of Uttar Pradesh (434.3 thousand hectares) to be followed by Bihar (406.2 thousand hectares), Assam (240.08 thousand hectares) Madhya Pradesh (140 thousand hectares) and Andhra Pradesh (120.37 thousand hectares) during 2011-12. However, it seems that most states have not furnished the data on irrigation potential utilized during the same year.

 


Table 1: State-wise irrigation potential created and irrigation potential utilized (in thousand hectares) as on 31st March 2012

 

 

State irrigation table
Source: Data on Irrigation Potential taken from Water Resource Division, Planning Commission. Data on Irrigation Potential Utilized taken from Infrastructure Statistics 2014 (by Inclusive Media for Change team)

 

There are a number of factors that are responsible for the gap between irrigation potential created and utilized, which are as follows: a. Lack of proper operation and maintenance; b. Incomplete distribution systems; c. Non-completion of Command Area Development Programme (CADP) ***** works; d. Changes from the initially designed cropping pattern; and e. Diversion of irrigable land for other purpose. Inadequate budget provision for operation and maintenance of the irrigation system is significantly responsible for under-utilization followed by non-completion of distributaries, minors, field channels and on-farm development.

It is worth noting that the Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley allocated a sum of Rs. 1,000 crore for the new Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY). In a recent policy paper on the 2014 Union Budget, Dr. Arindam Banerjee (from Ambedkar University Delhi) has noted that the FM actually reduced Rs. 1758 crore (as compared to the Interim Budget) for the Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP), which is higher than Rs. 1000 crore allocated under PMKSY. Therefore, PMKSY and its allocation does not show any emphasis on irrigation under the NDA rule.

The chapter on irrigation infrastructure in the the report Infrastructure Statistics 2014 has provided state-wise data on similar parameters. Altogether the report carries latest available data on 6 key areas: Transport Infrastructure; Energy Infrastructure; Communication Infrastructure; Irrigation Infrastructure; Drinking Water and Sanitation Infrastructure; and Storage Infrastructure.

Note:

* Gross Irrigation Potential Utilized: The gross area actually irrigated during reference year out of the gross proposed area to be irrigated by the scheme during the year.

** Gross Ultimate Irrigation Potential: The ultimate irrigation potential is the gross area that can be irrigated from a project in design year for the projected cropping pattern and assumed water allowance on its full development. The gross irrigated area will be the aggregate of the areas irrigated on the different crop seasons, the areas under two seasonal and perennial crops being counted only once in a year.

*** Medium Irrigation Scheme: A scheme having Culturable Command Area (CCA) more than 2,000 hectares and up to 10,000 hectares individually is a medium irrigation scheme.

Major Irrigation Scheme: A scheme having Culturable Command Area (CCA) more than 10,000 hectares is a major irrigation scheme.

Culturable Command Area (CCA) is the area which can be physically irrigated from a scheme and is fit for cultivation.

**** Minor Irrigation Scheme: A Scheme having Culturable Command Area (CCA) upto 2,000 hectares individually is classified as minor irrigation scheme.

***** Command Area Development Programme (CADP), sponsored by the Central Government, was launched in 1974-75 with the objective of bridging the gap between irrigation potential created and that utilized for ensuring efficient utilization of created irrigation potential and increasing the agricultural productivity from irrigated lands on a sustainable basis. The Programme envisages integrating various activities relating to irrigated agriculture through a multi-disciplinary team under an area development authority in a coordinated manner.

References:

Infrastructure Statistics 2014 (Third Issue) of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) (please click here to access)

Data on Irrigation Infrastructure from the Infrastructure Statistics 2014 (please click here to download)

Accelerating Agricultural Productivity Growth in India-Issues and Opportunities,The World Bank, May, 2014 (please click here to access) 

Budget 2014-15: The continuing neglect of the ‘rural' -Arindam Banerjee, eSocialSciences.org, 4 August, 2014 (please click here to download)

Chapter 2: Water Management and Irrigation, 11th Five Year Plan (please click here to download)

Studying gap between irrigation potential created and utilized in India: Final Report (2008), IIM Ahmedabad (please click here to download) 

Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayi Yojana likely to be delayed -Jitendra, Down to Earth, 15 September, 2014 (please click here to access) 

Every drop of treated water counts -Manish Agarwal, The Hindu Business Line, 11 September, 2014 (please click here to access) 

Chhattisgarh hikes subsidy for drip irrigation, The Business Standard, 24 August, 2014 (please click here to access) 

Maharashtra's irrigation system tied in knots -Aman Sethi, The Business Standard, 15 August, 2014 (please click here to access) 

Down The Drain: India's Costly (And Losing) Irrigation Battle -Prachi Salve, 16 August, 2012, India Spend (please click here to access) 

Recommendations of Studies by IIMs about irrigation potential created and utilized sent to states for implementation, Press Information Bureau, 25 July, 2009 (please click here to access)

Image Courtesy: Himanshu Joshi 



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