Up-Scaling Micro Irrigation

Micro irrigation (MI) is one of the key interventions in water saving, energy saving, and improving the crop productivity and is gradually emerging as a demand management technology in India. The MI potential in the country varies from 42 to 72 M.ha by various estimates. At all India level, the MI area covered to the potential till 2019 is only about 17.4%. Among the drip and sprinkler coverage, the potential covered under drip is 28.2% and sprinkler is 12.9%. In terms of actual area coverage to the total MI area in the country, five states viz., Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Gujarat have shared more than 10% each. Regarding MI implementation models, Gujarat Green Revolution Company (GGRC) model is comparatively performing better. The major suggestions to up-scale the MI adoption include provision of technical support for MI operation after installation, relaxation of farm size limitation in providing MI subsidies, supply of liquid fertilizers, improved marketing facilities and access to more credit, direct benefit transfer (DBT) scheme, MI in canal command area, and better implementation models like GGRC.