What Are The Major Challenges Faced By The Indian

**Subject:** Economy Efficient irrigation management is crucial for India's agricultural productivity and water security. The country faces several challenges in its irrigation infrastructure, impacting both agricultural output and sustainable water usage. ## Major Challenges in Indian Irrigation System - **Groundwater depletion** – India pumps about 25% of the world’s groundwater; 230 districts are now classified as “critical” or “over-exploited”. - **Inefficient on-farm practices** – Flood irrigation still covers 65–85% of irrigated land, keeping overall water-use efficiency below 40%. - **Ageing canal infrastructure** – Siltation, seepage and poor maintenance waste 30–40% of the surface water conveyed through major and medium systems. - **Water-logging and salinity** – Inadequate drainage threatens nearly 13 million ha by 2025, eroding soil health in parts of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and coastal belts. - **Regional and social inequities** – While Punjab enjoys 98% irrigation coverage, many eastern and drought-prone districts remain dependent on erratic monsoon flows. - **Climate variability & policy fragmentation** – Erratic rainfall, stalled projects and dispersed institutional mandates weaken long-term water budgeting and adaptive planning. ## Government Measures for Efficient Irrigation Management **Policy Initiatives** - **Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)**: Flagship program achieving completion of **63 out of 99 major/medium irrigation projects**. - **Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP)**: Created additional irrigation potential of **25.80 lakh hectares** from 2016-17 to 2023-24. - **Command Area Development**: Successfully developed **19.28 lakh hectares** under various schemes. **Technological Interventions** - **Micro-irrigation Promotion**: Implementation of drip and sprinkler irrigation systems showing **95% improvement** in water use efficiency. - **Crop Diversification**: Encouraging farmers to adopt crops suitable for specific irrigation methods. - **Modern Technologies**: Integration of **IoT and sensors** for precision irrigation management. **Performance Improvements** - **Yield Enhancement**: Adoption of drip irrigation has led to increased yields - **35.5% for sugarcane**, **73.3% for banana**, and **79.9% for cotton**. - **Budget Allocation**: Current financial year's budget of **Rs. 2040 crore** with **Rs. 692.20 crore** released to states. The transformation of India's irrigation infrastructure through technological adoption and policy implementation is crucial for achieving agricultural sustainability. Programs like **Per Drop More Crop** and **Mission Water Conservation** are steering the country towards efficient water management and enhanced agricultural productivity.