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Nitish Sharma
Using sprinkler irrigation technique does not only save groundwater and electricity, but improves productivity as well. This was found by the Command Area Development Authority (CADA) in its studies carried out on wheat and paddy crops cultivated in different agricultural fields in Kurukshetra and Ambala.
As per the data procured from CADA, an experiment on 40-acre was conducted during rabi season on wheat crop in 2018 by using sprinkler irrigation in Mallaur village of Ambala. The net saving of underground water on 40-acre land was 1.84 crore litre, while the net saving of electricity on tubewell was 4,326 kWh. Similarly, in June this year, an experiment was conducted on paddy crop by using sprinkler irrigation on 4-acre land. This experiment was conducted from June 21 to July 16 and the net saving of underground water during this time on 4-acre land was 50.8 lakh litre.
In an experiment conducted on 9-acre land in Kurukshetra (Gumthala Garhu village) last year on PR-114 paddy, 53.40 per cent water was saved while the yield benefit was 2.5 quintal per acre. In wheat crop this year on 9 acres, the water-saving was 46.86 per cent and the yield benefit was 1.6 quintal per acre.
Groundwater level reduced by 30.09 m in last 45 years
As per the information, the groundwater level in Kurukshetra has decreased by 30.09 metres over the last 45 years. The groundwater in 1974 was available at the level of 10.55 metre, but now it has dropped to 40.64 metre. In June 1974, the groundwater level in Babain block was available at 11.92 metre, Ladwa at 11.50 metre, Pehowa at 5.95 metre, Shahabad at 9.51 metre, Thanesar 13.89 metre, Ismailabad at 10.42 metre, while Pipli at 10.63 metre, but as per the groundwater report of June 2019, the groundwater level in Babain block has dropped to 42.37 metre, Ladwa at 34.13 metre, Pehowa at 39.38 metre, Shahabad at 45.38 metre, Thanesar at 35.83 metre, Ismailabad at 45.16 metre, while Pipli at 42.24 metre.
Executive Engineer, CADA, Neeraj Sharma, said: “Different initiatives have been taken by CADA to increase irrigation water productivity. Usually, farmers use nearly 1 crore litre water per acre in paddy cultivation, but while using sprinkler irrigation, the water consumption can be brought down. Similarly, in wheat 10-12 lakh litre water per acre is consumed, depending upon the soil, while a huge amount of water can be saved while using newer techniques. Haryana Agricultural University scientists have also been working with CADA in Gumthala Garhu project.”
Karanjit Singh Chattha, a progressive farmer from Gumthala Garhu village in Kurukshetra, was awarded in Indonesia for saving water and electricity by farming through micro-irrigation system based on solar power project. The award was given on September 4. Karanjit had volunteered to get the Micro Irrigation Pilot Project installed in his agriculture field. Only one farmer in a year across the world is awarded with this award every year.
Catchment Area Development Authority Executive Engineer Neeraj Sharma said: “An experimental paddy demonstration plant is operational in 9-acre field of Karanjit Singh for the last two years. The techniques of direct seeding of rice (DSR), and sprinklers and drip irrigation systems have been adopted for irrigation. The entire system is based on solar power project. Karanjit volunteered for the project.”
“In the first year (2018), the production of paddy increased by about 2.5 quintals and the water savings have been about 50 per cent. Keeping this in mind, the Haryana Government has approved to continue this experiment in 2019 and 2020 as well,” he said.
Karanjit gives the credit of the award and the success to the Haryana Government and CADA officials, and said: “It was possible due to the support of the government and CADA officials that I was given the award. Micro irrigation systems are the need of hour, as it saves water and electricity.”
Farmers from many villages, department officials and experts from the country and abroad have visited and inspected the project.
After the success of this pilot project, 14 more such projects have been established by the government across the state at a cost of Rs 30 crore.
‘Initiatives taken to increase irrigation water productivity’
Different initiatives have been taken by CADA to increase irrigation water productivity. A farmer gets 20 to 22 quintal per acre wheat production, and about 30 quintal paddy per acre, depending upon the soil. Micro irrigation methods such as drip and sprinkler irrigation are solutions that reduce conveyance and distribution losses and allow higher water use efficiency besides increasing crop productivity. The department has also been installing solar-powered micro irrigation infrastructures on overflowing village ponds for irrigation purpose in various districts of the state. Neeraj Sharma, Executive Engineer, CADA
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