Irrigation and cropping must be in sync

Irrigation investments yield the best outcomes when paired with timely access to quality seeds, fertilisers, credit, and extension advice

- Saurabh Bandyopadhyay

IN INDIA'S AGRARIAN landscape, the relationship between irrigation and cropping decisions has long been treated as linear, where expansion of irrigation infrastructure is expected to lead to changes in cropping patterns, particularly a shift toward more water-intensive and high-value crops. However, empirical evidence from the past decade suggests that this assumption does not hold uniformly. A closer analysis of national agricultural data from 2011-12 to 2022-23 reveals a more dynamic and contemporaneous relationship between irrigation and sowing decisions, with important implications for agricultural policy.

During this 11-year period, India saw a significant increase in both the gross irrigated area (GIA) and gross sown area (GSA). The GIA rose from 91.8 million hectares in 2011-12 to 122.3 million hectares by 2022-23. At the same time, the GSA grew from 195.8 to 219.4 million hectares. This expansion translated into a steady increase in the share of sown area under irrigation—from 46.9% to 55.8%. Crop yields also rose considerably, from 841 kg per acre in 2011-12 to 1,009 kg per acre in 2022-23, indicating an average annual growth rate of 1.67%. These changes suggest not only a quantitative expansion of irrigation but also its qualitative impact in enhancing land productivity.