Technology and Policy Support for Ensuring Water and Food Security in

Dry Areas: India’s Experience

International Conference on Policies for Water and Food Security in Dry Areas24th to 26th of June, Cairo, Egypt

Alok Kumar Sikka

India

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Overview of the national agricultural sector

India has 2.3 % of world’s land 4.2 % of world’s freshwater resources 16 % of world’s population 17 % of world’s cattle population

Agriculture supports livelihood for 52% of workforce

Contributes 14% to GDP Key role in national food

security, supports increased population from 361 to 1180 million between 1951 & 2010

Net sown area increased from 119 (1950-51) to 140 (1970-71) M ha, and still about 141 M ha.

Untapped potential in rainfed areas (60% of NSA)

Challenged to produce 345 Mt by 2030 from 141 M ha or less.

80% small & marginal holders posses 36% land Changes in Man- Arable Land ratio over the years

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Major Agro-ecosystems, Crops & production systems

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Rice-based

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Water Resources

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Irrigation uses 83% of water, diversion of water to agriculture expected to reduce (72% by 2025)

Increased water use efficiency and water productivity as response to growing challenges

Source Quantity (BCM) Annual rainfall (1190mm) : 4000 Estimated Utilizable water : 1122Net Irrig. Area : 60 Mha (40%) Groundwater Contribution : 60%Rainfed Area : 83 Mha (60%)

GAP

Plan-wise irrigation potential created and utilized in India (Cumulative)

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Key drivers for agricultural growth

Agricultural Research and Technology Development Enabling Policies and Programmes Enabling Institutions Water and rural Infrastructures Investment in agriculture Incentivization

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Constraints Increasing population pressure (1210 million) Monsoon dependent agriculture, low and/or erratic rainfall Pre-dominance of small and marginal farmers Declining land- base for agriculture Severe land degradation Declining per capita water availability Falling water tables and water quality Resource poor farmers with low risk bearing capacity Shortage of farm labor Increasing cost of inputs Declining profitability in agriculture Uncertainties associated with prices/ realization

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Agricultural Development ScenarioI. Before Mid 1960’s Low input and low productivity technology– subsistence agriculture.

II. Mid 1960’s to 1990 High input and high productivity technology – production enhancement to meet food grain demand of growing population (GRT- 1967).

III.

1990 onwards(Post Economic Reforms)

Over-exploitation of resources – deceleration in productivity growth rate; unsustainability of agriculture.

IV.

Mid 2000’s Initiated different Missions and focus on certified seed production improved growth

Trend growth in GDP-Agriculture based on 10 years period: From 1951-1961 to 2001-2011 (%)

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Water & Agriculture Policies/Programs Technological reforms (Research & Development)

Institutional reforms

Reforms related to marketing and prices

Inputs and subsidies

Extension and education reforms

Green Revolution supported by HYVs of rice and wheat with emphasis on irrigation development and fertilizer in the late sixties gave the major breakthrough.

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Contours of Water & Agricultural Policy Land reforms 1950s Public Investments on Irrigation Dev., 1961 onwards Setting up of Agricultural Prices Commission and FCI, 1965 Green Revolution, 1966-70s Setting up of RRBs,1975 Integrated Rural Development Program, 1976 National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development, 1982 Economic Reforms, 1991 Initiating large scale watershed development programs, 1990s Implementation of WTO agreement, 1995 Targeting of PDS, 1997 Rationalization of MSP Policy, 2000 National Agricultural Policy, 2000 Encouragement to food processing industry, 2004 Enhancing the flow of institutional agricultural credit, 2004 National Policy for farmers, 2007 National Water Policy 1987, 2002, 2008 and 2012 Setting up different Missions for speedy agriculture growth 2007 Bringing Green revolution to eastern India, 2010 Encouraging crop diversification

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Programmes/Schemes in the Water Sector

Major and Medium Irrigation Projects

Irrigation potential created increased from 9.72 M ha (1950-51) to 46 M ha (2011-12); utilized only 35 M ha (2011-12)

Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP)

108.21 M ha irrigational potential created (about 77% of UIP)

Command Area Development and Water Management Programme (CADWM):

About 22 M ha covered since inception upto March, 2011

National Project for Repair, Renovation and Restoration (RRR) of Water Bodies

Restoration completed in 1054 water bodies in 15 States

Artificial Recharge to Ground Water through Dug wells

Implemented in 1180 over exploited, critical and semi-critical blocks in 7 States.

National Water Mission Major goal to improve water use efficiency at least by 20%

National Mission on Micro Irrigation (NMMI)

Promoting enhanced WUE 10

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Major Programs in Agriculture

National Food Security Mission (NFSM)Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna (RKVY)Accelerated pulse Production Programme (A3P)Macro Management of Agriculture (MMA) Integrated Scheme of Oilseeds, Pulses, Oil palm and Maize (ISOPOM)National Horticulture Mission (NHM)Oil palm development Programme (OPDP)Initiative for Nutritional security through Intensive Millet Promotion

(INSIMP)Brining Green revolution in Eastern India (BGREI)

Foodgrain production of 257.44 million tones during 2011-12. Foodgrain production of 257.44 million tones during 2011-12. The production of rice, wheat and pulses increased by 11, 15, and 3 million The production of rice, wheat and pulses increased by 11, 15, and 3 million

tones against the targeted 10, 8, and 2 million tonnes respectively during tones against the targeted 10, 8, and 2 million tonnes respectively during 2011-12 as a result of NFSM alone.2011-12 as a result of NFSM alone.

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Conti……

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Watershed Management Programmes: • Drought Prone Area Programme (DPAP)• Desert Development Programme (DDP)• Integrated Wasteland Development Programme (IWDP)• Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP)• National Watershed Development Project for Rainfed Areas (NWDPRA)• Hill Area Development Programme (HADP)• Western Ghat Development Programme (WGDP)

Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)National Rainfed Area Authority (NRAA)

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Features of the case study

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Rainfed/dryland Farming : Challenges India has rainfed area of 83 Mha (60% of Net sown area),

spanning several ago-ecologies. Characterised by low/erratic rainfall and water scarcity Low rainfed yields of about 1 t/ha Supports 40% of population, 60% livestock and contributes

only 40% to the food grains production. Rainfed areas grow about 87% each of coarse cereals and

pulses, 80% oil seeds, 65% cotton and 50% cereals. Distress prone, vulnerable, under invested, more poverty. Climate change projected to have implications. Green revolution by-passed rainfed areas. Vast potential to contribute to food security and livelihood .

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Major rainfed production systems of India

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Even with the cumulative policy neglect and low investments ($ 240-300 /ha against $ 4000-5000 /ha in canal irrigation), rain-fed agriculture contributes significantly to the national economy

Rainfed crops have shown more impressive growth rates in recent years as compared to irrigated crops like rice and wheat

Growth rate in yield of coarse cereals, pulses and oilseeds taken together was much higher (2.18%) than that of rice (1.40%) and wheat (0.46%). Based on compound growth rate (1998-99 to 2008-09)

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Growth rate in area, production and yield of major crops in India, 1998-99 to 2008-09

Rainfall surplus of 114 BCM available for harvesting from 27.5 M ha cropped rainfed area .

A part of this adequate to provide one supplemental irrigation of 10 cm to 20.65 M ha and 25.08 M ha during drought and normal years respectively.

Harvested rainwater used in SI had highest marginal productivity and increase in rainfed production up to 50% was achievable.

Demonstrate challenging opportunity for prioritising research and development efforts in increasing rain water use efficiency and rain water productivity.

Higher Marginal Return in Productivity of Rainfed Areas

Source: Sharma et al. (2010)

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Watershed Management - A Policy InstrumentWatershed Management - A Policy Instrument

Initially Soil & Water conservation, now focuses on social, institutional and livelihood aspects besides bio-physical aspects.

Watershed programmes implemented under an array of national schemes/programmes.

Watershed programmes have undergone revision and reorganisation.

With the introduction of Common Guidelines -2008, new watershed projects have been taken up.

Accordingly, DPAP, DDP and IWDP of the Department of Land Resources have been merged into a single modified programme called Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP)

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Decentralization of powers to the States.

Dedicated multi-disciplinary professional institutions at national, state, district, Project level.

Flexible project duration with 3 distinct phases.

Livelihoods focused through integrated farming systems, micro-enterprises, marketing etc.

Clustering of small watersheds (1000-5000 ha ) to optimize transaction cost & have more visible impact.

Scientific planning using new tools and technology inputs including RS, GIS,GPS and modeling.

Capacity building planning.

Multi tier Ridge to valley planning and implementation including treatment of forest areas forming integral part of watershed.

Key Features of Common Guidelines-2008Key Features of Common Guidelines-2008

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CONTINUOUS CONTOUR TRENCH

Earthen Bund After Plantation

EARTHEN STRUCTURES PERCOLATION TANK

Recharged open well

Hiware Bazaar MWS Ahmednagar, MH

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Cup and Saucer shaped micro-catchment

Trench at the upstream

Half moon shaped micro-catchment

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Success witnessed where water availability, surface and/or sub-surface/groundwater, was increased and used for productive and livelihood enhancement.

Over-exploitation of groundwater and resulting well failure has become risky even pushing farmers into debt trap, and also leading to in-equity.

Groundwater management through water positive on-farm practices, water budget based cropping, generating hydrologic information at village level involving community, demystifying hydrology to make user friendly.

Enabling policies, water rights and institutional mechanism for water use.

Key Issue: Integration of water management principles with WSM

Water Management in WSM Programmes

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Multiple Uses of Harvested Rainwater in Rainfed Region

Cap. 1200 m3

Command area 0.7 ha

Vegetables , Fruits & pulse

Agril. WP Rs. 31/m3

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Kadwanchi Watershed, Jalna

Farm diversification by a marginal farmer

Loose rock check dam

RKVY Pond with lining by farmer’s own resources

Rain Water harvesting dam

Luxurious growth of fodder grass in community land

Brought out difference in enhanced water availability, fodder and drinking water during 2012 -13 drought

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0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

Before Project 0.26 0.67 0.5 0.37

After Project 0.33 0.82 0.64 0.65

Cultivated Land Utilization Index

Crop Diverification

Index

Crop Productivity

Index

Land Levelling Index

Impact of Watershed Development

Watershed Water storage capacity created

(ha-cm)

Wells influenced

Increase in well recharge

rate (%)

Irrigated area increase (%)

Antisar 1584 73 23 90

Bada Khera 256 20 6 65

Salaiyur 266 46 10-15 84

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Overall Impact of Watershed Development Programmes

An area of about 57 M ha developed since inception upto 2010-11Net sown area increased from 140.00 Mha in 1980-81 to 141.36

million ha. in 2008-09, despite increase in area of about 6.65 million hectare under non-agricultural uses during the same period. Inspire of that net sown area more or less remained same which could be due to WSM

Wasteland has been reduced from 63.97 M ha to 55.27 M ha.

Comprehensive assessment of watershed programmes in India concludes:

Enhancement in rural income by 58% Increased agricultural productivity by 35% Additional environmental & social benefits

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Best performance in areas that targeted low & medium income groups, and in medium rainfall (700-1100 mm).

Greater benefits where people’s participation was higher.

Water is the major “entry point”.

GO-NGO jointly implemented programs performed better.

Lack of efficient water use management interventions.

Lack of linking resource conservation with productivity and livelihoods.

Lack of sustenance of local institutions, capacity building. Vast scope to improve, as 35 % MWS performing above

average.

Water Harvesting and WSM Programs Water Harvesting and WSM Programs A Vehicle for Rainfed Area ManagementA Vehicle for Rainfed Area Management

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Optimizing Crops HorticultureLive-Stock

Farming Systems

• IWMP. NWDPRA . Micro Irrigation . AGWR, AIBP. CAMPA• Hort. & Bamboo

Mission

• NREGA (40% material)•SGSY (Self employment)•Vth & VIth schedule

Forest & Agriculture Shared Watersheds

•RKVY, BRGF •State finance Commission•MPLAD•Others

•Planning at the grass-root

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Lessons LearnedThe under-invested rainfed areas have higher marginal productivity of

water, investments, fertilizers, energy and should be prioritized in the investment portfolio

Well executed participatory watershed management programme can contribute to drought proofing, food security and livelihood improvement

Water budget based crop planning for improving crop water productivity

Potential for combining natural resources conservation goals with productivity, carrying capacity and and livelihood augmentation

Incentives and reward mechanism for conservation of water and energy

Priorities for water management in rainfed areas and water markets, water cooperatives and water franchisee

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Emerging issuesBridging demand-supply gap through more focused approach on demand

side management interventionsSmall holder affordability and profitability calls for R & D into

development of farmer centric and location specific solutions.Rationalization of input subsidies in irrigation, fertilizers and electricity to

reduce natural resource degradationStakeholder aquifer management through participatory monitoring and

planning Managing soil healthClimate change adaptation for water and food security, and risk

managementHow to coordinate and converge ? A Major challengeReforms in major and medium irrigation to bridge the gap between

potential createdChallenging task of coordinating water management issues as being

handle by multiple department/Ministries

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Main recommendations to policy-makers for scaling-up, and for reducing constraints

Mixed Rainfed Livelihood: Focus on rainfed livelihoods through a mix of agriculture, livestock, horticulture, fishery, agroforestry and IGAs measures.

NRM and Production System Integration: A single window inclusive and holistic Flagship program for rainfed areas, combining natural resource conservation and use with production and livelihood interventions.

Convergence: Unified mechanism for convergence of schemes, resources and institutions (by design not default) in degraded/rainfed areas, large scale pilots for demonstration

Climate resilience: Re-orientation of on-going Schemes for enhanced adaptive capacity to climate change. For ex., WSM as a strategy framework, safety nets eg. insurance, credit.

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Thanks for listening Questions, comments and suggestions are welcome

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A four fold increase in land productivity

A three fold increase in water productivity

A six fold increase in labour productivity

About Half through labour-capital substitution

Along with:-

Energy saving and low emission

Main Target in 2050

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