Farmers and Social Perspective on Optimal Crop Planning for Ground Water Sustainability: A Case of Punjab State in India

Abstract

Punjab is one of the most fertile states in India with agriculture as its largest industry. The state is ideal for wheat, rice, sugarcane, fruits and vegetables. The share of agriculture in gross state domestic product (27 per cent) is higher than the national average of 18 per cent during 2014-15. In recent years a drop in productivity and profitability has been observed, mainly due to excessive use of natural resources. Most important problem in Punjab is the rapidly falling water table on which almost 72 per cent of the agriculture depends. The groundwater is falling by a meter or more per year. To ensure sustainable use of groundwater and to sustain productivity and profitability, this study presents optimum crop plan for Punjab state in India. Market price, economic price (net effect of subsidy) and natural resource valuation (NRV) have been used to maximize the net returns for Punjab farmers. The study has used plot-level cost of cultivation survey data for the triennium ending 2010-11. Linear Programming based model has been developed to examine various options of conserving water from farmers as well as social perspective. Ground water constraint has been varied by decreasing its availability in steps of 5 per cent starting from the existing ground water use of 31.6 Billion Cubic Meter to the replensihable limit of 20 Billion Cubic Meter. The results revealed that the area under paddy, a water intensive crop, has reduced from 7 to 59 per cent in different optimal crop plans. The study recommends that under the current level of technology and policy scenario, ground water savings can be increased up to 10 per cent of the existing use while maintaining net gains to society positive. To increase water savings beyond this level, technological improvements and policy interventions are required.