Will Punjab Ever Break Free from Water-Intensive Paddy Farming?
Punjab has struggled for decades to cut down paddy cultivation despite warnings about severe groundwater depletion. Various government initiatives have aimed to diversify crops and introduce water-saving irrigation techniques, but paddy continues to dominate, covering around 32 lakh hectares in the last Kharif season. This reliance on water-intensive farming threatens to push Punjab toward a desert-like situation in the coming years.
Micro-irrigation, including drip and sprinkler systems, has been promoted as a solution, yet its adoption remains minimal. Since 2006, only about 49,780 hectares have come under micro-irrigation, a fraction of the 41 lakh hectares under agriculture. In contrast, states like Karnataka and Gujarat have significantly expanded their use of these systems, receiving far more government funding. Punjab’s financial assistance under the “Per Drop, More Crop” scheme has been low, limiting its implementation.
Groundwater levels are declining rapidly, with 116 of Punjab’s 153 agricultural blocks classified as over-exploited or critical. Despite this, free electricity for irrigation continues to encourage excessive groundwater extraction. Trials have shown that micro-irrigation in paddy fields can reduce water use by up to 48%, but the high installation cost remains a major barrier.
Experts argue that Punjab must rethink its subsidy structure, shifting incentives from water-intensive crops to modern irrigation systems. Without immediate policy changes, Punjab risks severe water shortages that could threaten its agricultural sustainability. Investing in micro-irrigation and crop diversification is essential to securing the future of farming in the state.
