Answer:

Paddy cultivation in Punjab and Haryana plays a crucial role in India’s food security but has become increasingly unsustainable due to its heavy reliance on water. The region’s over-extraction of groundwater, largely driven by paddy farming, has led to a severe water crisis,with  88 water units in Haryana classified as over-exploited. Addressing this requires urgent reforms to protect both agriculture and water resources.

Paddy Cultivation’s Role in Water Crisis:

• Over-extraction of Groundwater: Paddy farming in Punjab and Haryana demands extensive irrigation, causing a dramatic depletion of groundwater levels.
  For example: A 2023 study by the Central Ground Water Board found that 87% of Punjab’s blocks were over-exploited due to excessive water extraction for paddy.
• High Water Consumption: Paddy cultivation uses about 4,000-5,000 litres of water per kg of rice, severely straining the region’s water resources.
  For example: In comparison, millets require only 500 litres per kg, showcasing the vast difference in water needs and the unsustainable nature of paddy farming.
• Free Electricity for Farmers: Free electricity for tube wells has encouraged the uncontrolled extraction of groundwater, further exacerbating the crisis.
  For example: Punjab farmers received subsidies worth Rs 38,973/ha in 2023-24 for power, canal water, and fertiliser, promoting continued groundwater overuse.
• Climate Change Impact: Increased water stress due to paddy cultivation is worsened by climate change, with erratic rainfall patterns causing further depletion of aquifers.
• Water Table Decline: The rapid decline of water tables in Punjab and Haryana, threatens the long-term viability of agriculture.

Challenges to Sustainable Agriculture:

• Monocropping System: Paddy cultivation promotes a monocropping system, reducing biodiversity and depleting soil nutrients, contributing to declining agricultural sustainability.
  For example: Studies by ICAR show that crop rotation, including pulses, improves soil health, but paddy cultivation discourages such diversity.
• Excessive Fertiliser Use: High water demands also lead to increased use of chemical fertilisers, further degrading soil quality and polluting water sources.
• Inefficient Water Use Practices: Flood irrigation, the predominant method in paddy cultivation, leads to wastage of water, with significant losses through evaporation and runoff.
• Soil Salinity Issues: Continuous paddy farming increases soil salinity, reducing the productivity of farmland and making it less suitable for other crops.
• GHG Emissions from Paddy Fields: Paddy fields contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, particularly methane, which exacerbates climate change and impacts long-term agricultural viability.
  For example: Paddy farming produces 5 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per hectare, making it a major contributor to agricultural emissions.

Solutions for Balancing Productivity, Farmers’ Interests, and Sustainability:

• Diversification of Crops: Encouraging the cultivation of less water-intensive crops like pulses, oilseeds, and millets can significantly reduce water usage and improve sustainability.
  For example: Punjab’s 2024 scheme, offering Rs 17,500/ha incentives to shift from paddy to alternative crops, aims to encourage diversification.
• Subsidy Re-alignment: Redirecting subsidies from paddy to other sustainable crops is essential to incentivize farmers.
• Water-efficient Farming Techniques: Promoting practices like Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) and micro-irrigation systems can help conserve water while maintaining yields.
• Guaranteed Procurement for Alternative Crops: Ensuring market assurance for crops like pulses and oilseeds through MSPs and procurement programs can alleviate farmers’ fears of switching from paddy.
  For example: The Food Corporation of India bought 92.5% of Punjab’s rice in 2023; similar mechanisms could support alternative crops.
• Public Awareness and Training Programs: Educating farmers about the benefits of crop diversification and water-saving practices can foster long-term change.

A coordinated effort between the Centre and state governments, focusing on restructured subsidies, water-efficient practices, and market assurance, can transition Punjab and Haryana towards sustainable agriculture. Such reforms will balance agricultural productivity with environmental conservation, securing the region’s water resources and ensuring the future of its farming communities.

DOWNLOAD PDF