As global food demand increases, the environmental cost of conventional farming is becoming unsustainable. Agriculture consumes 70% of the world’s freshwater and contributes significantly to soil degradation and biodiversity loss.
Studies show that inefficient irrigation wastes up to 50% of water globally, exacerbating water scarcity issues. While sustainable practices like drip irrigation and crop rotation offer solutions, many farmers, especially smallholders, lack access to these techniques and the knowledge to implement them effectively.
In India, where nearly 60% of the population relies on agriculture for their livelihood, the situation is even more pressing. India’s agricultural sector consumes about 80% of the country’s total freshwater resources.
Yet, poor water management and outdated farming methods continue to strain both the environment and farmers’ incomes. For example, conventional flood irrigation used in rice cultivation wastes vast amounts of water and deteriorates soil quality over time.
Despite these challenges, smallholder farmers who make up 86% of India’s farming population are often unable to adopt sustainable farming methods due to a lack of resources, technology, and training.
A 2020 study by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) found that only 40% of India’s farmers have access to modern irrigation methods like drip irrigation.
All of this leads us to an extremely pertinent question, how can water-efficient farming techniques be effectively integrated into India’s rural agricultural systems to improve sustainability, enhance farmer livelihoods, and mitigate environmental degradation, given the constraints of limited resources and knowledge among smallholder farmers?
How to Make Your Farm More Water-Efficient
Water is the heart of agriculture. It directly affects many aspects of soil, like plant growth, soil texture, soil aeration, moisture content, fertility, and even its susceptibility to erosion; almost everything is directly associated with water. Hence, water management is the first step to attaining sustainable farming. As water directly affects the quality of soil, ensuring efficient water usage is the need of the hour.
We at Roots Foundation cater to this problem by providing training and education programs to farmers on water-saving practices and techniques. One of the most successful initiatives under our Natural Resource Conservation Program (NRCP) includes the introduction of Direct Seeding of Rice (DSR). This method helps save 30-35% of water compared to traditional paddy transplantation.
Additionally, through our Agriculture Productivity Enhancement Program (APEP), we have trained over 10,000 farmers in advanced water-efficient techniques, helping to boost crop yields while conserving resources.
Our programs ensure that farmers can continue growing food sustainably, benefiting their families and the environment.
Why Water Efficiency is Important for Farming
Water is one of the most valuable resources in agriculture, and it is crucial for both productivity and sustainability. Unfortunately, many rural farmers still rely on outdated irrigation methods that lead to improper water management, directly impacting crop yields, soil quality, and even livelihoods in rural communities.
That’s why, at Roots Foundation, we actively work with farmers to introduce them to water-efficient farming techniques through our programs, such as Farmer Field Schools, which provide farmers with hands-on demonstrations in cultivating crops like chilli, cotton, and bananas. Here, farmers learn how to implement sustainable practices, such as integrated pest and nutrient management, which helps them manage their water usage.
These methods don’t just conserve resources—they empower farmers with essential water conservation skills. For example, mulching helps trap moisture in the soil, and polyhouse farming allows for more controlled water usage.
We aim to equip farmers with the right knowledge and training to help them become self-reliant and tackle water-related challenges, ensuring healthier crops and more secure livelihoods.
Efficient Irrigation Techniques
At Roots Foundation, we promote the simplest and most impactful ways to improve soil quality using water-efficient techniques. Some of the most popular irrigation techniques for soil management include mulching, polyhouse farming, and soilless cultivation.
Here are some key techniques that we at Roots Foundation advocate for:
1. Drip Irrigation
Drip irrigation or implementing micro-irrigation systems turned out to be a game-changer for farmers in our program. The Natural Resource Conservation Program was our flagship program under which we had pushed Direct Seeding of Rice (DSR), specifically to save water, which became one of the key projects for this technique in conservation.
We achieved high levels of water productivity (30-35% less) through this program. While simultaneously reducing labor costs and improving soil health.
During the DSR technique, we also implemented new ways of farming such as agroforestry and mulching, crop rotation methods under smart monitoring, along with even crop-residue management techniques to contribute a lot in maintaining soil quality in a balanced way while conserving water effectively.
2. Crop rotation
Another water-efficient farming technique that we took on, which is also enjoyable and very rewarding, was crop rotation. With our Agriculture Productivity Enhancement Program, where farmers doubled their farm production and reached 100% sustainable farms.
Community initiatives and platforms were conducted to educate them on water-saving techniques using crop rotation, diversification, etc. That led to another milestone program by Roots Foundation called Project Bhoomi, highlighting one of India’s pressing issues – burning crop residues.
3. Mulching
Burning crop residues not only causes immense air pollution but also causes water contamination and changes the chemical profile of soil, almost making it toxic and unstable for re-using. This huge issue needed innovative and flexible solutions, which we provided through crop-residue management techniques.
At Project Bhoomi, we worked closely with farmers and introduced them to mulching, which greatly increases the soil’s nutrient profile, preserves soil quality, and reduces dependency on water. It’s a great water-efficient irrigation technique that involves recycling crop residue and well-balanced soil management, reducing the dependency on high-level chemical fertilizers.
Through awareness campaigns, training, and access to technology, we’ve made significant strides in reducing this harmful practice. Project Bhoomi is not just about protecting the environment—it’s about creating a healthier and more sustainable future from every aspect for farmers.
These irrigation techniques resulted in successful alternatives to conserve water and reduce the burden on the environment by lowering energy usage and improving crop health.
Using Technology for Better Water Management
The future of farming lies in technology. At Roots Foundation, our Technology Transfer Program has helped over 10,000 farmers through dedicated set-top boxes, farm management apps, and weed identification apps to help them check soil health and scale their produce.
One such example is Project Sahyog where, we facilitated farmers to use boom sprayers instead of manual spraying pesticides, which reduced labor by 50% and doubled the income and yield on much less land. It also emerged as a water-efficient farming technique that helped reduce water contamination by spraying harmful chemical fertilizers.
Farmers were also able to incentivize the ownership of this equipment, as they could rent or lease their machines in the season creating an alternative mode of income for some extra money.
Through Project Sahyog, participating farmers became leaders in their regions, demonstrating the positive impact of modern technology in improving crop yields, reducing pollution, and fostering environmental sustainability.
Choosing Water-Efficient Crops
Different crops are less water-efficient than others. For example, rice requires a lot of water, but other crops, like lentil pulses, don’t require that much amounts of water.
Roots Foundation selects crops that farmers can cultivate with minimal water, suitable irrigation methods, and suitable fertilizers to gain maximum yield. It is a small change, but one that has made such an immense difference in terms of water conservation and sustainability for our future.
In targeting water-efficient crops, we are enabling farmers to be more resilient in the face of uncertain weather and maintain soil health, among other factors that ensure adaptation for the sustenance livelihood of a farmer.
Conclusion
At Roots Foundation, we are committed to making sustainable agriculture a reality. Rather than just promoting techniques, we are all about creating a lasting impact that touches every farmer, every field, and every community. Our core foundation revolves around empowering farmers to make water-smart decisions and lay the groundwork for a future where farms flourish, rural communities grow stronger, and the environment is nurtured.
FAQs
Which method is more economically viable for farmers?
Organic farming can be more sustainable in the long term for farmers. Organic farming has usually led to reduced input costs and higher market prices. However, conventional farming might seem cheaper upfront due to short-term yield, but it often leads to long-term soil damage and increases the dependency on chemical fertilizers.
What is the main difference between organic and conventional farming?
Organic farming involves using natural inputs like compost and avoiding chemicals. Its main focus is on sustainable farming that focuses on soil and environmental well-being. On the other hand, conventional farming relies on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides for immediate yield boosts. Still, it can lead to environmental degradation over time, severely impacting soil quality in the long term and even causing environmental degradation.
Is organic farming more sustainable than conventional farming?
Yes, organic farming is more sustainable. It promotes soil health, reduces chemical use, and protects biodiversity. While yields may be lower initially, in the long term, organic farming builds resilience and long-term productivity, unlike conventional farming.
What are the environmental benefits of organic farming?
Organic farming improves soil fertility, reduces water pollution, and supports biodiversity. It also conserves water and lowers greenhouse gas emissions, making it a better option for farmers and the environment.
What are the economic challenges of organic farming?
Organic farming can be costly, with lower yields at first, and may require certain certifications. Also, farmers in rural areas do not have direct access to resources, knowledge, and even training to start organic farming, which can pose a challenge.
