Water and Farming Crisis in India
India uses the most water for farming globally, yet many farmers lack irrigation access.
A farmer’s suicide in Maharashtra in 2025 highlighted these growing inequalities and water mismanagement.
The issue is not just about water shortage, but unequal access caused by poor policies, governance, and social factors.
Problems in the Current System
80% of India’s water goes to agriculture, mostly for water-heavy crops like rice, wheat, and sugarcane in already water-scarce areas.
Groundwater overuse is leading to depletion and pollution, with 17% of areas over-exploited.
Marginalised farmers and women suffer the most due to poor water rights and climate change.
Water use is inefficient, with low irrigation efficiency (only 38%) and high carbon emissions from methods like flood irrigation in rice.
Solutions Suggested
Promote efficient irrigation technologies like:
Drip irrigation (e.g. for sugarcane).
Alternate wetting and drying (for rice).
Solar-powered pumps, with checks to avoid overuse.
Encourage rainwater harvesting and water recycling methods.
Shift cropping patterns to match local water availability.
Develop policies to regulate groundwater use effectively.
Policy and Community Actions
Replace outdated, supply-based systems with demand-driven irrigation models.
Engage local communities through participatory irrigation management to ensure fair water distribution.
Focus on sustainability and equity, not just production.
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