Micro irrigation is the slow application of continuous drips, tiny streams or miniature sprays of water above or below the soil surface. Micro irrigation can be useful in undulating terrain, rolling topography, hilly areas, barren land and areas having shallow soils.
- Micro irrigation = Drip irrigation + Sprinkler system
Drip irrigation system, also known as ‘trickle irrigation system’, is a method of applying the required amount of water directly to the root zones of plants through drippers or emitters at frequent intervals. In this system, water is applied drop-by-drop or by a micro jet on the soil surface or sub-surface at a rate lower than the infiltration rate of the soil
Sprinkler irrigation is a method of applying water in a manner similar to rain. It is suited for most row, field and tree crops. Water can be sprayed over or under the crop canopy. The sprinkler breaks up the water into droplets sized 0.5–4 mm. The drop size is controlled by pressure and nozzle size of the sprinklers. The average rate at which water is sprayed onto the crops is measured in mm/hour.
The following are the ways in which micro – irrigation helps in addressing India’ s water crisis :-
1. Water Conservation
- Traditional irrigation methods like flood irrigation lead to excessive water wastage due to seepage, runoff, and evaporation.
- Drip irrigation delivers water directly to the root zone of plants, reducing water wastage by up to 50-70%.
- Sprinkler irrigation mimics rainfall and distributes water uniformly, preventing overuse.
Example:
In Rajasthan, the adoption of drip irrigation in mustard and wheat farming helped reduce water usage by 40% while maintaining crop yield.
2. Increased Agricultural Productivity
- Micro-irrigation ensures precise water delivery, improving crop health and productivity.
- Crops receive the right amount of water at the right time, reducing water stress and improving yields.
Example:
Farmers in Maharashtra’s Jalgaon district, known for banana cultivation, increased their yield by 40% using drip irrigation while cutting down water usage.
3. Mitigating Groundwater Depletion
- Excessive groundwater extraction for irrigation has led to declining water tables, especially in Punjab, Haryana, and Tamil Nadu.
- Micro-irrigation reduces the dependency on groundwater by optimizing water usage.
Example:
In Andhra Pradesh, the government’s micro-irrigation scheme led to a 30-40% reduction in groundwater extraction.
4. Energy Efficiency& Water Use Efficiency
- Since micro-irrigation uses less water, it reduces the energy needed to pump groundwater, cutting electricity costs for farmers.
- It also helps manage erratic power supply issues in rural areas.
Example:
In Gujarat’s Saurashtra region, farmers using drip irrigation experienced lower electricity consumption and reduced operational costs.
Efficiency of Drip Irrigation is 95% compared to traditional 40%
5. Suitability for Drought-Prone Areas
- In arid and semi-arid regions, where rainfall is irregular, micro-irrigation supports sustainable farming by ensuring optimal water availability.
Example:
In Bundelkhand (Uttar Pradesh & Madhya Pradesh), farmers successfully cultivated pulses and oilseeds using sprinkler irrigation, despite frequent droughts.
6. Government Initiatives Supporting Micro-Irrigation
- Per Drop More Crop (under PM Krishi Sinchayee Yojana) promotes efficient water use in agriculture.
- State-specific programs like Rajasthan’s Jal Swavlamban Abhiyan and Gujarat’s SujalamSufalam Yojana have helped expand micro-irrigation coverage.
Extent of Micro Irrigation
Going beyond Ultimate Irrigation Potential of India
- India’s estimated ultimate irrigation potential, the total area that could be irrigated, is around 139.5 million hectares (Mha), with 58.5 Mha from major and medium schemes, 15 Mha from minor schemes, and 66 Mha from groundwater.
- The Micro irrigation can help in coverage of area more than traditional means of irrigation
- India has significantly expanded its micro-irrigation coverage, with 83.46 lakh hectares covered under drip and sprinkler irrigation systems from 2015-16 to 2023-24, primarily through the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) scheme.
Conclusion
Micro-irrigation is a crucial solution to India’s water crisis as it reduces water wastage, improves agricultural productivity, saves energy, and mitigates groundwater depletion. However, greater awareness, financial incentives, and robust implementation are needed to scale its adoption across India. Expanding micro-irrigation can make agriculture more sustainable, water-efficient, and resilient in the face of climate change.
