What are the major challenges faced by Indian irrigation system in recent times? State the measures taken by the government for…

Irrigation remains central to India’s food and fibre security, but recent times show mounting pressure on water availability, asset condition and institutional delivery.

Challenges Groundwater tables are depleting and falling in Punjab, Haryana and western UP due to water-intensive paddy-wheat monoculture, reducing recharge and increasing pumping costs. Canal networks suffer from poor maintenance, siltation, seepage and low conveyance efficiency, while surface irrigation has low water-use efficiency, often only 35–40%. Inter-state water disputes, delayed project completion and cost overruns in Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP) projects weaken dependable supply and postpone command-area benefits. The combined effect is reduced assured irrigation, higher energy costs and greater vulnerability to drought.

Government Measures The government is responding through the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY). Under Har Khet Ko Pani, Surface Minor Irrigation (SMI) and Command Area Development & Water Management (CADWM) strengthen last-mile delivery, canal command coverage and on-farm water management. PMKSY’s Per Drop More Crop focus includes Micro-Irrigation Sub-Mission (MIS), drip and sprinkler promotion. Participatory Irrigation Management (PIM) through Water User Associations (WUAs) also improves efficiency and farmer participation. The Modernisation of Command Area Development and Water Management (M-CADWM) sub-scheme (2025) pilots pressurised piped delivery from canals to farms, while the Atal Bhujal Yojana promotes community-led groundwater management in water-stressed blocks. Digital initiatives such as PMKSY (WD), IoT-based monitoring and the JALDOOT app for groundwater assessment support real-time monitoring, aquifer mapping and demand-side management. These interventions aim to raise command-area productivity, reduce water wastage and make irrigation less dependent on groundwater.

These steps move irrigation from mere expansion to efficient management; lasting gains require timely project completion, canal modernisation, crop diversification and stronger inter-state coordination, with sustained implementation, farmer ownership and basin-level planning.