Water scarcity is looming large in India and agriculture sector accounting for 78 per cent of water use in the
country will have to bear this brunt intensely. According to the Central Water Commission (CWC), by 2050 the total water demand will overshoot supply in the country and the share of irrigation will come down to 68 percent. World Resource Institute (WRI), on the other hand, estimated that 54 per cent of the country’s area faces extreme water stress. Hence, improving water use efficiency is the key priority of Indian Agriculture. I may mention here that NABARD has been a key stakeholder in efforts of Government of India in developing water resources. Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) envisaging the concept of “water for every farm” and “more crop per drop” is one such initiative that targets to improve water productivity, enhance irrigation efficiency by about 20% and bring additional 28.5 lakh ha area under irrigation.
