Water usage in crops using irrigation systems in Haryana

Abstract

Purpose: It is of the utmost importance to prioritize efforts in the management and reduction of water usage in a manner that does not adversely affect agricultural production. This study attempts to identify the agricultural water usage by farmers using various irrigation systems.

Approach Used:  Primary data were collected from 480 farmers across four districts of Haryana state to identify agricultural water usage. The districts in question are Bhiwani, Rewari, Sirsa, and Yamunanagar. Participants were inquired about the irrigation method they employed. The study employed drip, sprinkle, and flood methods of irrigation. Purposive and multi-stage random sampling methods were employed for the selection of units and areas. The analysis of the study utilized descriptive statistics.

Findings: The study found that if sprinkle or drip method is used over flood method of irrigation in crops such as Maize, Cotton, Mustard, Pearl Millets and Wheat then the water saving ranges from 30 per cent to 80 per cent. Which shows that saved water can be used for other purposes like household, other agricultural activities and industrial activities. On the other hand, in the crops like rice and sugarcane farmers uses only FMI (flood method of irrigation). It is appeared that the above crops are not feasible for drip and sprinkle irrigation method, there is the greatest need for such hybrid seeds or mechanism so that these crops consume less water or farmers should explore for alternate crops