40% of India Still Banks on Monsoon for Agriculture

In the 21st century, why does the forecast of a deficient monsoon send the same ripple of fear through India as it would 5,000 years ago? The short answer is that for almost 40% of the population, agriculture has not changed — it is still dependent on the "rain god", or the South-West monsoon as it is known today.

Here are the facts: about 46% of India's net sown area (land on which cultivation is done at least once a year) is irrigated. The balance 54% is unirrigated and hence dependent on water that rains down from the clouds, mostly in the four monsoon months.

Back in 1997, a government committee calculated that the Ultimate Irrigation Potential ( UIP) for India was about 140 million hectares (Mha). That's the possible extent of irrigation facilities that can be created. How much of this is actually utilized currently? In 2011-12, the net irrigated area was just 65 Mha, as per latest data available with agriculture ministry. 

Here are the facts: about 46% of India's net sown area (land on which cultivation is done at least once a year) is irrigated. The balance 54% is unirrigated and hence dependent on water that rains down from the clouds, mostly in the four monsoon months.

Back in 1997, a government committee calculated that the Ultimate Irrigation Potential ( UIP) for India was about 140 million hectares (Mha). That's the possible extent of irrigation facilities that can be created. How much of this is actually utilized currently? In 2011-12, the net irrigated area was just 65 Mha, as per latest data available with agriculture ministry.

Clearly, the single most important input needed by farmers — water — has not been provided for a very large number of farmers leaving them vulnerable to the erratic monsoon. That's why the ancient fear still lurks in these modern times.