Navin Kumar CE (IMO) Central Water Commission Navin Kumar CE (IMO) Central Water Commission - Need for evolving comprehensive guidelines

Economy of the country is directly linked to development of irrigation infrastructure. The ultimate irrigation potential for the country has been assessed to be about 140 Mha, out of which about 114 Mha of irrigation potential has been created. Major irrigation projects in India are canal command projects where water is taken from storage reservoir created by construction of a diversion structure as dam/barrage and distributed through network of canals and distributaries to the command area on rotational basis. Economy of the country is directly linked to development of irrigation infrastructure. The ultimate irrigation potential for the country has been assessed to be about 140 Mha, out of which about 114 Mha of irrigation potential has been created. Major irrigation projects in India are canal command projects where water is taken from storage reservoir created by construction of a diversion structure as dam/barrage and distributed through network of canals and distributaries to the command area on rotational basis. BACKGROUND

The methods of water application in canal command, however, have not been upgraded and conventional methods like uncontrolled flooding, basin flow etc. continue to be practiced. Despite the huge investments made by the country in the past on the development/ extension/ improvement of the canal infrastructure etc. to improve the supply of water to irrigation sector and increase the water use efficiency, the country continues to face many challenges.  The methods of water application in canal command, however, have not been upgraded and conventional methods like uncontrolled flooding, basin flow etc. continue to be practiced. Despite the huge investments made by the country in the past on the development/ extension/ improvement of the canal infrastructure etc. to improve the supply of water to irrigation sector and increase the water use efficiency, the country continues to face many challenges. 

 Inadequate and irregular availability of water.  Highly deteriorated condition of the existing large canal infrastructure and the CAD works which were completed long back mainly due to inadequate maintenance.  Poor efficiency of the water conveyance & distribution system.  Inefficient water management at field level and reluctance to adopt modern water saving technologies.  Inadequate and irregular availability of water.  Highly deteriorated condition of the existing large canal infrastructure and the CAD works which were completed long back mainly due to inadequate maintenance.  Poor efficiency of the water conveyance & distribution system.  Inefficient water management at field level and reluctance to adopt modern water saving technologies.

 Cultivation of water intensive crops by the farmers  Over-exploitation of the ground water resources in fresh water belts.  Increasing problems of water logging in the absence of proper drainage and soil salinity in saline ground water areas.  Lack of meaningful participatory approach in development and management of water resources.  Cultivation of water intensive crops by the farmers  Over-exploitation of the ground water resources in fresh water belts.  Increasing problems of water logging in the absence of proper drainage and soil salinity in saline ground water areas.  Lack of meaningful participatory approach in development and management of water resources.

With the growing population and increasing need of water by all sectors, it is essential that increased water use efficiency is given due thrust by all sectors. In this direction, pressurized irrigation network and expansion of Micro-Irrigation in irrigated agriculture becomes imperative. With the growing population and increasing need of water by all sectors, it is essential that increased water use efficiency is given due thrust by all sectors. In this direction, pressurized irrigation network and expansion of Micro-Irrigation in irrigated agriculture becomes imperative.

 Traditional practices Tulsi Plant watering Perforated clay pipes and pitchers in Maharashtra and Rajasthan Bamboo pipes in Meghalaya  Modern Micro – Irrigation introduced in India in 1970s Micro Irrigation Area (1985) – 1000 ha  Traditional practices Tulsi Plant watering Perforated clay pipes and pitchers in Maharashtra and Rajasthan Bamboo pipes in Meghalaya  Modern Micro – Irrigation introduced in India in 1970s Micro Irrigation Area (1985) – 1000 ha

‘Task Force on Micro Irrigation’ set up by GoI in the year 2004, which assessed that the potential area that can be covered under Micro-Irrigation was of the order of 69 Mha (27 Mha under drip irrigation and 42.5 Mha under sprinkler). The Task Force also suggested that the Planning Commission should make it obligatory for the project authorities to implement Micro-Irrigation in at least 10% of the Command Area while sanctioning new irrigation projects. In January 2006, centrally sponsored scheme on micro irrigation launched. ‘Task Force on Micro Irrigation’ set up by GoI in the year 2004, which assessed that the potential area that can be covered under Micro-Irrigation was of the order of 69 Mha (27 Mha under drip irrigation and 42.5 Mha under sprinkler). The Task Force also suggested that the Planning Commission should make it obligatory for the project authorities to implement Micro-Irrigation in at least 10% of the Command Area while sanctioning new irrigation projects. In January 2006, centrally sponsored scheme on micro irrigation launched.

Farmers Participatory Action Research Programme (FPARP) was initiated by Ministry of Water Resources (MoWR), Government of India in with a view to facilitate demonstration of technologies for achieving the goal of “More Crop and Income per Drop water”. In June 2010, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the implementation of the ongoing Centrally Sponsored Micro-Irrigation Scheme as the “National Mission on Micro-Irrigation” (NMMI) during the Eleventh Plan period. As per Impact evaluation study (June 2014) of NMMI, the area under micro irrigation occupied only about 5.71% of the total potential irrigated area (2.85% under drip & 2.86% under sprinkler). Farmers Participatory Action Research Programme (FPARP) was initiated by Ministry of Water Resources (MoWR), Government of India in with a view to facilitate demonstration of technologies for achieving the goal of “More Crop and Income per Drop water”. In June 2010, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the implementation of the ongoing Centrally Sponsored Micro-Irrigation Scheme as the “National Mission on Micro-Irrigation” (NMMI) during the Eleventh Plan period. As per Impact evaluation study (June 2014) of NMMI, the area under micro irrigation occupied only about 5.71% of the total potential irrigated area (2.85% under drip & 2.86% under sprinkler).

High capital cost required for the system. Subsidy is not easily available for farmers. Subsidy is not available for sugarcane crop. Poor awareness about the importance of water saving technologies. Not suitable for marginal & small farmers following subsistence farming.  After sales service is not satisfactory. Availability of free electricity and low price of canal water. Non- availability of land for small storage tanks within the command. Fear about system clogging among the farmers. Promotional schemes are not available in many states. Poor extension and training facilities to farmers. Benefit-cost of MI system has not been adequately demonstrated to farmers. State is not keen to promote Micro-Irrigation without subsidy. High capital cost required for the system. Subsidy is not easily available for farmers. Subsidy is not available for sugarcane crop. Poor awareness about the importance of water saving technologies. Not suitable for marginal & small farmers following subsistence farming.  After sales service is not satisfactory. Availability of free electricity and low price of canal water. Non- availability of land for small storage tanks within the command. Fear about system clogging among the farmers. Promotional schemes are not available in many states. Poor extension and training facilities to farmers. Benefit-cost of MI system has not been adequately demonstrated to farmers. State is not keen to promote Micro-Irrigation without subsidy.

Keeping in view the need to improve the water use efficiency and to increase the irrigation potential, Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation is giving thrust towards pressurized irrigation in the planning process of major, medium and minor irrigation projects with expansion of Micro- Irrigation systems in the command area. In this context, Central Water Commission has been directed to frame uniform guidelines for appraisal of detailed project report, inclusive of micro-irrigation component, after consulting all the stake holders. Following three categories of projects are identified. ◦  Keeping in view the need to improve the water use efficiency and to increase the irrigation potential, Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation is giving thrust towards pressurized irrigation in the planning process of major, medium and minor irrigation projects with expansion of Micro- Irrigation systems in the command area. In this context, Central Water Commission has been directed to frame uniform guidelines for appraisal of detailed project report, inclusive of micro-irrigation component, after consulting all the stake holders. Following three categories of projects are identified. ◦ 

 Canal Command Projects- Where water resource and canal network is existing and Micro- Irrigation network is to be integrated with canal network.  Local Water Resource Command Projects- Where farmer/owner has his own water resource viz. water tank, well, tubewell etc.  Reservoir Command Projects- Where water resource (Reservoir) is existing and no further distribution network is available.  Canal Command Projects- Where water resource and canal network is existing and Micro- Irrigation network is to be integrated with canal network.  Local Water Resource Command Projects- Where farmer/owner has his own water resource viz. water tank, well, tubewell etc.  Reservoir Command Projects- Where water resource (Reservoir) is existing and no further distribution network is available.

 There are many issues/ challenges which need to be addressed while planning integration of existing canal commands with micro irrigation, like  Both, Central and State Governments are providing liberal incentives in the form of subsidy towards installation of micro and sprinkler irrigation. The acceptance / promotion of micro-irrigation system without subsidy shall be a major hurdle and inclination of farmers in this field tends to reduce without subsidy.  Presently, majority of the micro irrigation depend on groundwater and only some insignificant area is on canal water. Performance of most of the public managed canal irrigation schemes in India is poor leading to low water use efficiency. Farmers are not much inclined due to unreliable canal water supply.  There are many issues/ challenges which need to be addressed while planning integration of existing canal commands with micro irrigation, like  Both, Central and State Governments are providing liberal incentives in the form of subsidy towards installation of micro and sprinkler irrigation. The acceptance / promotion of micro-irrigation system without subsidy shall be a major hurdle and inclination of farmers in this field tends to reduce without subsidy.  Presently, majority of the micro irrigation depend on groundwater and only some insignificant area is on canal water. Performance of most of the public managed canal irrigation schemes in India is poor leading to low water use efficiency. Farmers are not much inclined due to unreliable canal water supply.

 Legal infrastructure and systems need to be strengthened as the success of the micro irrigation system depends heavily on enforcement of cropping pattern and water delivery schedules.  Converting and operating the prevailing canal system in hybrid mode, both as surface as well as micro irrigation systems need some of issues to be addressed. a) assured water availability at a shorter interval of 2 to 3 days, b) storages at farm level ( either in a farm pond or using existing wells, c) un-interrupted availability of electric power, d) Promoting use of solar power by giving subsidy and buy back options e) financial support as subsidy towards capital cost of the micro irrigation system, and f) enforcement at the ground level.  Legal infrastructure and systems need to be strengthened as the success of the micro irrigation system depends heavily on enforcement of cropping pattern and water delivery schedules.  Converting and operating the prevailing canal system in hybrid mode, both as surface as well as micro irrigation systems need some of issues to be addressed. a) assured water availability at a shorter interval of 2 to 3 days, b) storages at farm level ( either in a farm pond or using existing wells, c) un-interrupted availability of electric power, d) Promoting use of solar power by giving subsidy and buy back options e) financial support as subsidy towards capital cost of the micro irrigation system, and f) enforcement at the ground level.

Now, CWC has collected the information from various stakeholders including private companies and prepared a draft guidelines and sent to various experts for their inputs. These guidelines shall be finalised after getting the inputs from these experts including experiences received from Isreal Partner country in this IWW. Now, CWC has collected the information from various stakeholders including private companies and prepared a draft guidelines and sent to various experts for their inputs. These guidelines shall be finalised after getting the inputs from these experts including experiences received from Isreal Partner country in this IWW.