Inadequate Access to Irrigation

Currently, about 51% of the agricultural area cultivating food grains is covered by irrigation. The rest of the area is dependent on rainfall (rain-fed agriculture). Sources of irrigation include ground water (wells, tube-wells) and surface water (canals, tanks).

• There is a need to improve the efficiency of water use, especially in agriculture. Irrigation currently consumes about 84% of the total available water in the country.
• Nearly 65% of the irrigated land holdings use ground water sources such as tube wells and wells for irrigation.
• The past few decades has led to an overuse of ground water sources in states, especially those growing water ....