Irrigation in India: Status and challenges

The quality and quantity of irrigation water is most important issue for agriculture dominated country like India. Agriculture is the largest consumer sector of water and India is second highest irrigated country of the world, but over exploitation of groundwater and intensive irrigation in canal commands areas has created many serious problems like salinization, depletion of water tables, groundwater contamination, drying of aquifers, water logging and etc. It has been observed that in many parts of the country the water table is reducing with the rate of 1-2 m/year. The fresh water availability for domestic purpose, irrigation and industrial uses are decreasing with an alarming rate and if this problem not taken seriously, India mayface major water crisis in the near future. This paper highlights present scenario of irrigation in India with its major challenges.