Bengaluru: Agricultural and industrialial experts in a conference on ‘Futuristic Farmer-led Irrigation’ opined that India is struggling to improve agricultural productivity caused mainly due to poor water management techniques.
Speaking in the conference, Karnataka agriculture minister Shivashankar Reddy said, “Karnataka has two kinds of extremes, one, where there is plenty of water due to irrigation schemes and rainfall, and two, areas that don’t get water even if you go as deep as 1,500ft below the ground.”
The Agriculture Minister said that the government must introduce legislation to control use of water and bring in accountability, which can prevent overuse of water.
Most of the experts batted for the Israeli model of micro-irrigation systems for better productivity, responding to which, Water Resource Minister D K Shivakumar asked the experts to come up with comprehensive solutions that includes awareness and guidance for the farm community.
“No farmer is committing suicide in drought-prone regions like Kolar and Chikkaballapur. They are growing good quality products. In well-irrigated districts like Mandya, Bagalkot and Belagavi farmers do not know the value of water and have lots of problems,” said D K Shivakumar.
Srinivasa Lingareddy, Chief Technology Officer, KYPIPES, US, said that some of the latest technologies, which have helped perfect the drip irrigation technology were already available in India. “The technology should be adopted in the field of agriculture. For this, a change in mindset is required,” he added.
