2. Need for Irrigation

♤ In the next 35 to 45 years, world food production will need to double to meet the demands of increased population.

♤ Agriculture requires adequate amount of

water throughout the lifecycle of a crop. If the rainfall decreases to less than 30 cm, agriculture becomes impossible without irrigation.

♤ India’s rainfall pattern suffers from both - spatial and temporal variations - as well is known for its uncertainty, irregularity, unreliability and erratic nature.

♤ India, with her 1.2 billion population, has to have to ensure food security for her citizens through increased agricultural productivity and production and cannot remain dependent on others.

♤ Irrigation increases crop yield, protects from famine and also helps in cultivating superior crops with the water supply as per need of the crops.

♤ Irrigation maintains moisture in the soil. Moisture is necessary for the germination of seeds.

♤ Crops like rice, jute, sugarcane, etc. need more water, which can be fulfilled only through irrigation.

♤ New and high-yielding seeds need additional water through irrigation for higher productivity.

♤ Agricultural activities provides employment to more than 50 % of the total workforce in India so we need to reduce the risk associated with agriculture and increase its productivity to provide better returns to farmers.