Micro Irrigation Systems in India


Book Description

This book takes stock of micro irrigation systems (MIS), the technological intervention in India’s agricultural and water management sectors, over the past couple of decades. Based on empirical research from the major agriculturally dynamic states, viz., Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, the book provides a nuanced understanding and objective assessment of the implementation and adoption of MIS across these states. It addresses several of the questions related to adoption and impacts of MIS in India. On the adoption side, the key question that the book addresses is which segment of the farming community adopts MIS across states? The impacts analysed include those on physical, agronomic and economic aspects. At the macro level, the question being asked is about the future potential of MIS in terms of saving water from agriculture and making more water available for environment. The book also addresses the question of the positive/negative externalities and real social benefits and costs from the use of MIS, a major justification for heavy capital subsidies for its purchase by farmers. It also brings out certain critical concerns pertaining to MIS adoption, which need to be addressed through more empirical research based on longitudinal panel/ cross sectional data. The book would be of great use to researchers (agricultural water management, irrigation economics), students of water resource engineering, irrigation engineering and water resources management, as well as to policy makers and agricultural water management experts – national and international.




Climate Change and Agriculture in India


Book Description

This book provides an overview of climate change in India using river basin data and analytical and econometric methods. It, first, makes a quantitative assessment of how climate change affects agricultural and food production systems; second, predicts how these systems may respond to climate change; and third, suggests adaptation measures and strategies to improve the income of farmers, increase production, save water and conserve environment.The work will be greatly useful to policy-makers, researchers and teachers of agricultural economics, environmental studies and economics and development studies as also to research organizations dealing with climate modelling and resource management.




Management and Organisation of Irrigation System


Book Description

Water Is One Of The Essential Resources In Ag¬Ricultural Production, Which Has Several Unique Characteristics. Individual Farmers, Acting Alone, Can Seldom Acquire Water For Irrigation. Con¬Struction And Maintenance Of The Physical Struc¬Tures To Divert, Convey, And Distribute Water Usually Require Huge Investments, Which Is Beyond The Capacity Of A Farmer Surface Wa¬Ter Cannot Be Easily Stored And Particularly By The Individual Farmer, As Fertilisers, Pesticides Etc. Can Be. Water Must Be Used Whenever It Is Available. However, Farmers Generally Can¬Not Transport Water Economically Over Great Distances And The Locations. All Irrigation Systems Require That Certain Es¬Sential Tasks Should Be Accomplished, If The System Is To Function Productively, For Which Three Sets Of Management Activities Become Essential.For An Efficient Management Of Irrigation Projects, The Role Of Organisation, Channels Of Communications, Patterns Of Influence, Lines Of Authority And Loyalty, Which Can Ensure Some Sort Of Efficiency, Equity And Social Jus¬Tice, Cannot Be Overemphasized. This Neces¬Sitates That Irrigation Management Must De¬Vote A Large Part Of Its Attention To Its Organi¬Sation.This Noble Objective Can Be Achieved Through An Interdisciplinary Approach To The Manage¬Ment And Organisation, Water Distribution, Crop¬Ping Pattern, Complementary Inputs, Land Re¬Forms, Fanners' Participation, Pricing Of Wa¬Ter And Energy, Economic And Financial Evalu¬Ation, Institutional Needs, Command Area De¬Velopment Etc. This Could Be Possible Through The Structuring Of Individuals And Functions Into Productive Relationships In An Organisation. This Book Addresses To This Crucial But Ne¬Glected Element In The Equation Of Efficient Irrigation Management. It Starts From The Premise That Irrigation Management Is Best Regarded As A Socio-Technical Enterprise, Where The Human Dimension Interacts With The Physical And Technical Ones. The Book Thus Covers A Series Of Organizational Variables And Human Behaviour Backed With Critical Inputs, Insti¬Tutional Needs And Services.




Where Water Seeps!


Book Description

Though numerous studies have addressed the need for irrigation reform in India, most still advocate solutions derived from the very First Irrigation Commission Report of 1903. This study incorporates the beneficial portion of old solutions with more than a decade's sustained study of irrigation reforms in a contemporary context.




Irrigation in India


Book Description

This book examines various macro-issues relating to irrigation in India. These macro-issues are the pattern of development of irrigation since ancient India up to post-independent India, cost and benefits from irrigation, its impact on production and productivity, the growth of a modern sub-sector and irrigation management.




The Water, Energy and Food Security Nexus


Book Description

It is becoming increasingly recognized that for the optimal sustainable development and use of natural resources, an integrated approach to water management, agriculture, food security and energy is required. This "nexus" is now the focus of major attention by researchers, policy-makers and practitioners. In this book, the authors show how these issues are being addressed in India as part of its economic development, and how these can provide lessons for other developing nations. They address the conflicting claims of water resources for irrigation and hydropower, where both are scarce at the national level for fostering water and energy security. They also consider the relationship between water for irrigated agriculture and household use and its impact on rural poverty. They identify weaknesses in the current hydropower development programme in India that are preventing it from being an ecologically sustainable, socially just and economically viable solution to meeting growing energy demand. The empirical analyses presented show the enormous scope for co-management of water, energy, agricultural growth and food security through appropriate technological interventions and market instruments.




On the Waterfront


Book Description

This book analyses the struggle over water in a large-scale irrigation system in Raichur District, Karnataka, South India. It looks at water control as a simultaneously technical, managerial and socio-political process. The triangle of accommodation of different categories of farmers, irrigation department officials and local politicians, involving water, votes, money, employment, credit and harassment, is documented. The book shows that the physical infrastructure, notably the division structures, are signposts of struggle, expressing the balance of power between farmers and the irrigation department, and that between head- and tail-end farmers. It concludes with a discussion of irrigation reform efforts in India: reasons for the very slow transformation of the sector, and how a more integrated perspective on irrigation could provide directions for the way forward.




Future Directions for Indian Irrigation


Book Description

Desenvolvimento sustentado da irrigacao na India. Pesquisa, manejo, sistemas e experiencias praticas.




The Irrigation Future of India


Book Description

This book aims to bring forth and address the major issues confronting the irrigation sector of India and also to suggest policy pointers to sustain it. As the policy and reform canvas is large for a huge and diverse country, this book has particular focus on the most important and immediate issues and future options. The chapters not only focus on new research, in-depth analysis and technical details, but also provide a balanced review of the state of irrigation sector and comprehensive presentation of major issues, challenges and future options. With the presentation of in-depth analysis and synthesis of available knowledge, the work can act as a handbook for major irrigation water issues, actual policy changes, and potential reform that could turnaround the sector. Given the temporal and spatial data analysis of the irrigation sector, this book will be effective and useful as a research and teaching tool to students and researchers both in India and globally. Besides its professional audience within the academic, research and policy community, the non-technical format of the book will appeal to a general audience in the media, policy, and donor circles