Sources and irrigation water-use efficiency in Rice-Wheat cropping system—Some socio-economic considerations

The study undertaken in the Bulandshahar distrit in the Indo-Gangetic Plains in western Uttar Pradesh has examined the utilization and efficacy of irrigation water-use in the rice-wheat cropping system. Different sources of water, viz. canal, electric tubewells and diesel engine pumpsets, differ vastly from each other in terms of accessibility, timely supply of water and cost of irrigation. The study has revealed very large inter-farm variations in water utilization. The marginal productivity of land and yield per cubic metre of water under paddy coarse variety and wheat crop have been found to be higher on diesel farms than electric tubewell and canal farms. However, the profitability of crop production has not favoured the use of diesel pumpset irrigation water. The study has revealed that lower irrigation charges in the case of canal water and electric tubewells have neither helped water utilization nor maximized the productivity of land. A hike in canal irrigation charges or electricity rates accompanied with timely availability of water in required quantity will generate funds for proper maintenance of a water distribution system with simultaneous raise in the productivity levels of both land and water and will benefit all concerned in the form of more revenue and income.