55thth WORLD WATER FORUM WORLD WATER FORUM

WATER AND FOOD FOR ENDING POVERTY AND HUNGER

SITUATION IN INDIA AND

FUTURE APPROACH

PRESENTATION BY CHAIRMAN, CENTRAL WATER COMMISSION

MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

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ProloguePrologue

Food, water and life are are inter-relatedFood production requires agriculture and

irrigationPoverty and hunger mitigation is the

challenge of the millenniumWater is a vital input for the farmer

engaged in agricultural productionThe Millennium Development Goal (MDG)

has set eradication of poverty as one of its important goals

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Some facts about IndiaSome facts about India

Geographical Area 329 Million hectare (2.45% of world

land area) Cultivable Area 184 Mha (~ 56 %)

Forest Cover 21%

Ultimate irrigation Potential 139.9 Mha

Population 1.027 billion (16% of world population)

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India’s Water ResourcesIndia’s Water Resources

Annual average precipitation - 4000 BCM Highly variable in space and time- Minimum - 100 mm in Western Desert- Maximum - 11000 mm in North Eastern

Region

Rainfall during June to September 3000 BCM

Average annual potential 1869 BCM

Utilisable Water Potential 1123 BCM - Surface water – 690 BCM - Ground water – 433 BCM

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India –Present Status of DevelopmentIndia –Present Status of Development

Live storage capacity increased from 15.6 BCM in 1950 to 225 BCM now. Another-

64 BCM under construction 108 BCM contemplated

Foodgrain production increased from 51 million tonnes in 1950 to 217 million tonnes in 2007 p.a.

Irrigation potential created by 2006 is 102.77 Mha against 22.6 Mha in 1951

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India –Present Status of DevelopmentIndia –Present Status of Development

Share of agriculture in GDP declined from more than half in 1950 to less than 20% currently but largest employment and livelihood

Irrigated agriculture has massive contribution towards food production

Irrigation enables higher production from land specially with use of high yielding varieties, fertilizers and other inputs

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India –Present Status of DevelopmentIndia –Present Status of Development

Agricultural production increase through: - expansion of cultivated areas,

- shift in cropping pattern,

- enhanced productivity by irrigation

Irrigation development influences greatly incidence of poverty and alleviation

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India – Future scenarioIndia – Future scenario

The country’s population of 1027 million (2001 census) is expected to stabilize around 1600 million by 2050

To meet foodgrain demand reasonably, production of around 500 million tonnes per annum by 2050 is targeted (presently 217 MT)

Irrigation water demand around 810 BCM

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Approach of Indian GovernmentApproach of Indian Government

National Food Security Mission launched aimed at increasing cereal and pulses production

Additional investment necessary for adoption of best practices

Undertaking watershed management programme in dryland areas

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Approach of the Indian GovernmentApproach of the Indian Government

National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) enacted by Government of India

aims for enhancement of livelihood security of rural households

to augment employment, strengthening of natural resource management to address chronic poverty and encourage sustainable development.

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Approach of the Indian GovernmentApproach of the Indian Government

Works identified under NREGA: Artificial Recharge of Ground Water

Repair, Renovation and Restoration of Water Bodies

Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP)

Flood Management Programme

Farmer’s Participatory Action Research Programme

Command Area Development & Water Management

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Speedy Completion of Ongoing ProjectsSpeedy Completion of Ongoing Projects

Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme launched in 1996-1997 to provide Central Assistance to major and medium irrigation projects for their early completion

Recently scheme of National Projects taken up to expedite completion of identified national projects

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National Perspective PlanNational Perspective PlanNational Perspective Plan (NPP) for

Water Resources Development formulated

Envisages inter-linkages between various for transfer of water from surplus river basins to water deficit basins for optimum utilization

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Development of Ground WaterDevelopment of Ground Water

Groundwater irrigating about 60% of irrigated area also important for agricultural production.

Concerns about groundwater are-

* over-exploitation in some areas

* under-utilization in large parts of country

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Development of Ground WaterDevelopment of Ground Water

In India, ownership of groundwater with owner of land resulting in overexploitation in certain regions.

Priority given to exploit groundwater where abundantly available

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Development of Rainfed AreaDevelopment of Rainfed Area

Rainfed areas home to majority of rural poor and marginal farmers. They require technological, institutional, infrastructural, and investment support

Challenge to improve rural livelihoods through participatory watershed development projects to increase productivity in a sustainable manner.

Government constituted National Rainfed Area Authority (NRAA) to provide sustainable development.

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Water ManagementWater Management

Bridging gap between potential created and being utilised

Optimise agricultural production and productivity through efficient land and water management, Command Area Development a programme for which started in 1975.

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Water ManagementWater Management

Better O&M of existing facilities and efforts for Extension, Renovation & Modernisation

Water saving technologies such as drip / sprinklers systems being encouraged in larger .

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Participatory ApproachParticipatory Approach

National Water Policy formulated which emphasizes participatory approach involving all stakeholders

Number of Water Users Associations established by State Irrigation Departments for transferring technology

Appropriate role for women

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Water Quality IssuesWater Quality IssuesPreservation of water quality very

important as availability of fresh water affected due to pollution

Government Water Policy emphasizes treatment of effluents to acceptable level before discharging to the natural streams.

Water quality monitoring is carried out by the Central and State Pollution Control Organisations through nationwide network of water quality monitoring stations.

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Climate ChangeClimate ChangeNational Action Plan for Climate

Change set up by Government under Prıme Mınıster ıncludes Water Mission

National Water Mission aıms at conservation of water, minimizing wastage and ensuring equitable distribution through integrated water resources management

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Climate ChangeClimate ChangeGoals identified under National Water Mission: Comprehensive water database in public domain Reliable assessment of impact of climate change on

water resources Promotion of citizen and state action for water

conservation and augmentation Focused attention for over-exploited areas Increasing water use efficiency by 20% Promotion of basin level integrated water resources

management

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EpilogueEpilogue

Poverty alleviation through enhanced food production is biggest challenge.

Sustained agriculture dependant on proper planning, development and management of water.

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EpilogueEpilogue

Government of India adopted wide range of policies, programmes and strategies to ensure future food requirements being met without compromising sustainability of resources.

Importance to environmental social and economic issues so that benefits can be maximized and negative impacts kept to minimum.

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