Water security in agriculture is a local problem and needs de-centralized solutions: U P Singh, Secretary Water Resources

Feb 26, 2020

 'Water recycle and re-use policy is need of the hour'

Water scarcity in the agriculture sector also calls for a national integrated agriculture water policy: FICCI-PwC Report �Plugging India's agri-water gap

 

NEW DELHI, 26 February 2020: Mr U P Singh, Secretary, Department of Water Resources, RD & GR, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Govt of India today said that water security in agriculture is a local problem and requires de-centralized solutions.

Speaking at the national summit on 'Investing in Future Through Sustainable Water Use Management in Agriculture', organised by FICCI, Mr Singh said that currently we use 90 percent of fresh water in agriculture and irrigation. "Without improving the water use efficiency in agriculture, all efforts of water use elsewhere will not be meaningful," he added. 

Mr Singh said that we need to change our mindset and give emphasis on water productivity rather than just land productivity. He added that we must focus on water footprints, like carbon footprints, and urged the industry to play more active role in the overall development of the sector.

Emphasising on the need of water conservation in agriculture, Mr Singh said that we need to adopt water recycle, and re-use policy in agriculture sector which has provisions for mandates and incentivization. "The more water we consume, more wastewater is generated. Many states have already started adopting this policy. You need to either mandate people or incentivize people. This kind of policy will have both mandating certain use and providing incentives," he added.

Mr Singh while highlighting the environment concerns said that we must also consider revisiting the current government procurement policy which mainly focuses on wheat and rice. It is important that states and farmers must be incentivized for other crops as well. "Today, we don't grow crops based on water endowment & topography of that particular area.

Ms Alka Bhargava, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Govt of India said that improved productivity is key to sustainability. "We have started adopting AI and other technologies to check soil moisture and cropping patterns. We are also looking at the use of grey water in agriculture to reduce dependence on ground water," she added.

Mr T R Kesavan, Chairman, FICCI National Agriculture Committee and Group President, TAFE Ltd said the government should draft a policy on creating an Agriculture Council so that Centre, state and various ministries work for the betterment of the sector.

Dr Ajai Kumar, Head-South Asia, Govt and Industry Affairs, Corteva Agriscience said all stakeholders including agriculture industry, policy-makers and regulators need to align while keeping farmers at its center in making agriculture 'Climate Positive.'

Dr A K Padhee, Director, Country Relations and Business Affairs, New Delhi, ICRISAT said that conservation and sustainable management of natural resources, including water, demands priority action in the policy agenda.

FICCI-PwC report on 'Plugging India's agri-water gap: Sustainable and innovative approaches' was released during the event.

Highlights of the report:

Recommendations:         Promote water productivity and water security in the country         Need for robust policy framework and institutional structure     Accelerating innovation in water conservation to sustain current and future water demand         Government to consider promoting irrigation industry to capitalize on water use efficiency by bringing it under the infrastructure category         Need to have a long-term and futuristic approach, adapting smart and climate-resilient agricultural practices for water-deficient and water-abundant regions         Managing water as an economic good to ensure water efficiency and sustainability         Creating a sustainable ecosystem for hydro-economic models   Current situation demands innovation in financing irrigation infrastructure for prudent economics and judicious water usage.      Water scarcity in agriculture calls for National Integrated Agriculture Water Policy

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• Water security in agriculture is a local problem and needs de-centralized solutions: U P Singh, Secretary Water Resources
• Water security in agriculture is a local problem and needs de-centralized solutions: U P Singh, Secretary Water Resources
• Report by FICCI & PwC calls for national integrated agri water policy
• Water security in agriculture needs de-centralised solutions: Official
• Water Security in Agriculture is a Local Problem and Needs De-Centralized Solutions: U P Singh

Event

• National Summit on Investing in future through Sustainable water use management in Agriculture

Study

• Plugging India's agri-water gap: Sustainable and innovative approaches