Micro-irrigation development in India: an analysis of distributional pattern and potential correlates

ABSTRACT

In India, of late, micro-irrigation has received considerable policy focus. However, as of 2017, only about 10% of the potential area is under micro-irrigation. The present study analyzes the pattern and equity issues of distribution of micro-irrigation in India and identifies the potential correlates. The regression analysis reveals that the stage of groundwater development and agro-climatic differences significantly influence the spread of micro-irrigation. The relatively low spread of micro-irrigation in states with over-exploited groundwater needs attention. Overall, the study points to the need to revamp the current micro-irrigation development programmes, which focus excessively on subsidy.

KEYWORDS:

• Micro-irrigation
• equity
• regional disparity
• groundwater depletion
• policy

Acknowledgments

We are thankful to the reviewers and the editor for the constructive comments and suggestions, which have helped significantly improve the quality of the article.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This article is drawn from the in-house project, Enhancing Smallholder’s Productivity and Agricultural Growth through Technology, Sustainable Intensification and Ecosystem Services, carried out in the Division of Agricultural Economics, ICAR–Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India. The research is entirely funded by ICAR-IARI.