The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, has said that the challenge of managing our water resources in a rational and sustainable manner will  require action on many fronts and coordination across different sectors of the economy. Delivering inaugural address at the “5^th Asian Regional Conference of the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage on improvement in efficiency of irrigation projects through technology up-gradation and better operation & maintenance” here today, he said that in India, we have tried to address these complex inter-relationships through the formulation of a National Water Mission, which is one of the eight national missions that are part of our National Action Plan on Climate Change launched recently by the Government of India.

  The Prime Minister said that the main objective of our “National Water Mission” is integrated water resource management by conserving water, minimizing wastage and ensuring its more equitable distribution both across and within various states of our union.  Some of the key action areas of the “National Water Mission” are:

 

• Placing of a comprehensive water data base in the public domain and assessment of the impact of climate change on water resources;
• Promotion of citizen and State actions for water conservation, augmentation and preservation;
• Focused attention to over-exploited areas;
• Increasing water use efficiency by at least 20%; and,
• Promotion of  basin level integrated water resource management.

  The Prime Minister emphasized that water-related issues need to be addressed with the full involvement of the local communities and take into account specific local conditions and concerns. Farmers as principal stakeholders should be consulted in any agricultural water management initiatives. Women play a key role in food production activities in a large number of  countries. Therefore, a special effort should be made to involve women in process of  decision-making, he added.  

He said that an expansion of irrigation and improvement in irrigation efficiency are thus key not only to improving agricultural productivity but also to our strategy for sustainable water use. There has to be a greater synergy between our agricultural policies and our water policies with a view to securing food supply, especially to the poor and vulnerable sections of the population, through more efficient and sustainable use of scarce water resources.

The Prime Minister said that the target of doubling the annual rate of growth of agriculture in India to 4% during the Eleventh Plan Period of 2007-2012 is a top priority for our government.  To achieve this, we are sharply increasing public investment in agriculture. The most important area for investment in agriculture relates to the provision of water and its most efficient use. In fact, we hope to be able to add about 16 million hectares to the irrigated area during the Eleventh Five Year Plan.

 

He said that an assessment of the irrigation system in India indicates that efficiencies of surface water systems can be improved from the present level of 35 to 40% to about 60% and that of groundwater systems from the existing 65% to about 75%. Similar situations prevail in most developing countries in Asia and we have a great deal to learn from each others experience.  Utilization of created irrigation potential is another crucial issue.  In India only about 84% of the created irrigation potential has been utilized thus far.   Efficient use of crop water can increase the gross irrigated area, either by increasing the irrigated cropped area or the intensity of irrigation.

The Prime Minister stressed on the need to increase investment in agricultural technologies, particularly those related to improved crop practices, water savings, design of storage structures & more efficient farm implements. The first Green Revolution came due to innovations developed in the public sector. The second Green Revolution may well come from technologies developed in the private sector. It is therefore essential that private investment and innovation be incorporated within a broader vision and strategy of development in the agriculture and water sectors. 

Emphasizing on the need of developed technologies reach the farmers particularly the poorest farmers, he lauded the Ministry of Water Resources for launching a “Farmers’ Participatory Action Research Programme” through Agriculture Universities and Agriculture Research Institutes with a view to demonstrate available technologies for increasing productivity and profitability of agriculture.  Such programmes need to be expanded, he added.

Shri Pawan Kumar Bansal, the Union Minister of Water Resources in his address said that sustainable development of water resources – the most precious gift of mother nature to mankind – and its most efficient use is a critical challenge before us today.  In this perspective, the theme of the conference "Improvement in Efficiency of Irrigation Projects through Technology Upgradation and Better Operation and Maintenance" is indeed very pertinent.

 

Shri Bansal mentioned that 'Gloss' has suggested that the expression, "efficient water use" should be considered from different points of view:   'Absolute efficiency' to use the least amount of water possible, 'economic efficiency', to derive maximum economic benefits, 'social efficiency' to fulfill the needs of the user community, 'ecological efficiency' to guarantee natural resource conservation, and 'institutional efficiency' to qualify the function of an institution regarding its water related tasks. Water use efficiency requires a multi-dimensional approach.  In addition to the physical elements, social, economic and environmental factors must be carefully considered.

 

The Minister stressed that it is today imperative to sustain availability of water and prevent its wastage.  Though efforts are being made to improve the efficiency of water use in irrigation sector, a holistic approach is required for preventing wastage of water in other sectors also. Enhancement of efficiency will improve equity in water distribution and minimize the gap between potential crop water requirements and actual water use resulting in a larger area being irrigated with the same volume of water.  Further, the effect of water shortage will be less severe, better use could be made of fertilizers and pesticides, health hazards could be reduced and energy saved.

 

He said that several measures have been recommended for the improvement of irrigation efficiency.  Among those are appropriate water charges, lining of canals, improvement of irrigation infra structures and modernization of irrigation systems. There is also the need for carrying out irrigation audit of cultivable and irrigated lands which would provide information about the irrigation system and suggest possible energy and water savings.

 

Shri Vincent H. Pala, the Minister of State for Water Resources released:-

 

·         The Publication entitled ‘Water Resources Development in India ’;

·         Water Resources Map of India ;

·         Theme papers for all technical sessions of the conference; and

·         Souvenir.

Dr. Chandra Madramootoo, President, International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage also addressed on the occasion. About 700 professionals from about 45 countries including India are participating in the conference to deliberate on issues like Modernization of public/state operated irrigation system and services, Public Private Partnership in irrigation development and management, Integrated approach in agricultural drainage, Capacity Development for modern irrigation management, Impact of climate change on water resources availability and crop productivity, legal aspects in sharing of water resources. 

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