(a) the percentage of agricultural production in the country based
on ground water;
(b) whether the foodgrains production in the country has adversely
been affected due to depletion of ground water;
(c) if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether the Union Government has assessed the current situation
in each State/ UT in this regard and if so, the outcome thereof; and
(e) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government for
sustainable use of water resources for agricultural purpose?
MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI SHARAD PAWAR)
(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED
QUESTION NO. 444 DUE FOR REPLY ON 8TH MAY, 2012.
(a) to (e): As per available estimates (2009-10), out of 192.20 million
hectare of gross cropped area, 86.42 million hectare is grown under irrigated
condition. Ground water contributes about 62% of the irrigated area and it
is estimated that about 37% of total food grain production comes from areas
irrigated with ground water.
In the States of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Delhi, annual ground water
draft is beyond replenishable volume. However, overall food grain production
has been increasing and food grain production which was about 196.81 million
tonnes in 2000-01 has increased to 244.78 million tonnes in 2010-11.
As per assessment of dynamic ground water resources, against net ground water
availability of 396 billion cubic meter (bcm), annual ground water draft for
irrigation, domestic and industrial uses is 243 bcm which is about 61% of
the available resources. State-wise status of ground water development is
annexed.
Water being a State subject, measures for sustainable use of ground water
are undertaken by State Governments. Ministry of Water Resources (MoWR)/ Central
Ground Water Board (CGWB) are promoting rain water harvesting and artificial
recharge through implementation of pilot projects, Artificial Recharge to
Ground Water through Dug Wells scheme, publication of Manual on artificial
recharge to ground water, mass awareness and training programmes etc.
Directions have been issued by the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA)
to Chief Secretaries in 12 States and Administrators in 2 Union Territories
having over-exploited blocks to take all necessary measures to promote/ adopt
artificial recharge to ground water/ rain water harvesting. Farmers
Participatory Action Research Programme (FPARP) is being implemented by
MoWR through Agricultural Universities/ ICAR Institutes/ Water and Land
Management Institutes /Engineering Colleges etc. to create awareness for
water conservation including rainwater harvesting and related issues among
the farmers.
To ensure effective utilization of available surface and sub-surface water
resources in agriculture, National Mission on Micro Irrigation is being
implemented by Ministry of Agriculture to minimize water requirement
and for extending availability of water over longer durations.
Ministries of Agriculture and Rural Development are also implementing
watershed development programmes under which soil and water conservation
measures are taken up for ground water recharge and life saving irrigation.
Besides, under all major development programmes of Ministry of Agriculture,
viz., Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna (RKVY), National Food Security Mission
(NFSM), National Horticulture Mission (NHM), Macro Management of Agriculture
(MMA) etc., construction of farm ponds and other means of water harvesting
are encouraged for sustainable use of water resources.