Question : Drip Irrigation

(a) whether it is a fact that the more area can be irrigated by adopting drip irrigation which was less amount of water in comparison to area that can be irrigated by adopting flow irrigation, if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the yield of various crops using drip irrigation with water soluble fertilizers is higher than the conventional fertilizers in the country, if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken by the Government to promote drip irrigation with water soluble fertilizers in the country;

(c) whether the import of the water soluble fertilizers have increased during each of the last three years and the current year, if so, the details thereof, country-wise; and

(d) the other steps taken by the Government to promote indigenous production of the water soluble fertilizers in the country?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

‡ãðŠãäÓã ??? ????? ?????? ½ãâ¨ããÊã¾ã ½ãñâ À㕾㠽ãâ¨ããè ( SHRI PARSHOTTAM RUPALA)

(a): Yes, Madam. More area can be irrigated by adopting drip irrigation than that by flow irrigation as the water use efficiency of drip irrigation is as high as 80-95% where as it is only 30-35% in conventional/flow irrigation. There is upto 40% saving of irrigation water under drip irrigation.



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(b): Use of Micro Irrigation technology like drip irrigation along with fertigation technology (use of liquid and water soluble fertilizers) increases water and nutrient use efficiency which results in higher crop productivity. As per the impact evaluation study on Micro Irrigation (2014), increase in the yield of various crops is given below:-

Crop Average Productivity, MT/ha
Without Drip With Drip
Fruits 13.52 19.25
Vegetables 11.40 17.41

Drip and Sprinkler irrigation technologies are promoted under the Per Drop More Crop component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana(PMKSY). Fertigation devices are integral part of the Drip Irrigation System supported under the programme to promote fertigation.

(c): From the available information, it is observed that there has been increase in import of water soluble fertilizers in the recent past. The details of country wise import of water soluble fertilizers during the last three years and current year is given at Annexure-I.

(d): To encourage use of water soluble fertilizers, water soluble complex fertilizers have been incorporated in the Fertilizer (Control) Order, 1985. Government of India has notified separately 100% water soluble mixture of fertilizers vide notification No. SO 2900(E) dated 24th December, 2015 to be manufactured or imported into the country to promote the use of 100% water soluble mixture of fertilizers through drip irrigation. Besides this, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) imparts training, organizes field demonstrations to educate farmers on advantages of use of water soluble fertilizers.