How and to what extent would micro-irrigation help in solving India’s water crisis ? (Answer in 150 words)

Micro-irrigation delivers water near the root zone through drip or sprinkler systems, improving water productivity rather than merely expanding supply.

Potential contribution

• Drip reduces conveyance and evaporation losses and enables precise fertigation.
• Sprinklers improve uniformity in uneven terrain and suit millets, pulses, oilseeds and horticulture.
• Higher water productivity can reduce groundwater stress, energy use and salinity while raising yields.
• It supports crop diversification and climate resilience where assured irrigation is limited.

Extent and constraints

• It cannot solve basin-level scarcity caused by water-intensive cropping, free power or over-allocation.
• High initial cost, clogging, maintenance, fragmented holdings, poor extension and unreliable electricity limit adoption.
• Rebound effects may occur if saved water expands irrigated area without groundwater regulation.

Way forward

Combine targeted subsidies with water budgeting, crop planning, quality after-sales service, solar-pump regulation and community groundwater governance.

Water productivity; drip; sprinkler; fertigation; groundwater; crop diversification; water budgeting.