Bhubaneswar: Scientists on Saturday emphasized on use of less water for agriculture. Most of them advised farmers to use micro irrigation systems like drip irrigation and sprinklers to grow crops.
While discussing 'Minimizing water use in agriculture' here at the ICAR-Indian Institute of Water Management (IIWM), the agricultural scientists expressed concern over declining per capita availability of surface and groundwater resources in India. As demand for water is increasing in other sectors, including industry, providing water to agriculture has become a challenge. "If we fail to use water efficiently, we can't meet the water demand in future," said an expert.
Himanshu Pathak, director of National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack, said climate change has become a major problem in the world. Due to the impact of climate change, drought, flood and other natural calamities occur across the globe. It badly impact water resources too. "So to save rainwater and use the existing water resources judiciously are a big challenge for us," he added.
Principal scientist at IIWM Gouranga Kar said micro irrigation can bring in big change in use of water. "We can't check population or industry, but we can control use of water."
He suggested three tricks to minimize water use in agriculture. Cropping system needs to be changed. "We have to develop seeds which can be grown with minimum water. Second, we have to recharge the groundwater by preserving the rainwater. Third, use of micro irrigation system in agriculture," he said.
Director of IIWM SK Ambast said micro irrigation is considered as a very economic and efficient way for irrigation.
While discussing 'Minimizing water use in agriculture' here at the ICAR-Indian Institute of Water Management (IIWM), the agricultural scientists expressed concern over declining per capita availability of surface and groundwater resources in India. As demand for water is increasing in other sectors, including industry, providing water to agriculture has become a challenge. "If we fail to use water efficiently, we can't meet the water demand in future," said an expert.
Himanshu Pathak, director of National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack, said climate change has become a major problem in the world. Due to the impact of climate change, drought, flood and other natural calamities occur across the globe. It badly impact water resources too. "So to save rainwater and use the existing water resources judiciously are a big challenge for us," he added.
Principal scientist at IIWM Gouranga Kar said micro irrigation can bring in big change in use of water. "We can't check population or industry, but we can control use of water."
He suggested three tricks to minimize water use in agriculture. Cropping system needs to be changed. "We have to develop seeds which can be grown with minimum water. Second, we have to recharge the groundwater by preserving the rainwater. Third, use of micro irrigation system in agriculture," he said.
Director of IIWM SK Ambast said micro irrigation is considered as a very economic and efficient way for irrigation.