Open well irrigation in arid parts of Rajasthan: Adaptation to multiple stressors affecting agricultural sustainability

Abstract

Resource scarcity and exposure to multiple stressors have compelled the small-holder farmers world over to develop location-specific adaptation strategies to sustain their livelihoods; especially in risk-prone ecosystems. This paper attempts to understand two questions: (i) how agro-ecological knowledge of farmers of Pali district, Rajasthan, India is used to harvest the rainwater through open-wells to sustain the agricultural production, and (ii) how different stressors are impacting the socio-ecological resilience of these agro-ecosystems. To answer these questions, a study was carried out with 20 key informants from four purposively selected villages of Pali district. Data were collected through transect walk, soil and water sampling, focus group discussions, personal interviews, participant observations and telephonic discussions. Results indicated that rain water, open-well system and river water (Luni river at few places) constitute the main sources of water for sustaining crop and animal production. Over 85.0% of the studied farmers owned 1-4 open-wells (CV: 47.0%). On an average, 300 to 500 farmers obtained irrigation water from a single openwell to irrigate an average 2.72 ha (0.48-8.0 ha, with CV: 7.0%) of the crop land. During November to December, one open-well having 60-70 feet high watertable could supply water for about 15-18 hours which reduces to 6-8 hours during February-March. The major crops grown using open-well water are cumin, wheat, mustard and fenugreek. At most of the locations, 25-30% of such wells have gone dry, and, at some places, as much as 80% of the open-wells (e.g., in Rampura, Rohat block) are now dry. In such wells, the remaining water is too saline (ECiw ~5.5-13.2) for irrigation. Reduced number of rainy days as well as restricted seepage from the drying Luni river seem to have accentuated the salinity problem. The water storage in the river bed has considerably reduced over time resulting in reduced seepage to the adjacent agricultural lands. These hydrological changes have adversely affected the soil health with far reaching consequences for water and nutrient availability and sustainability of the local cropping systems. Many locally adapted landraces in crops such as cumin and chilli are on the verge of extinction, while area under wheat has decreased. Farmers’ dependence on external sources for seeds and other vital inputs has also increased. In a nutshell, rapidly declining watertable and the concurrent increase in salinity, likely to be aggravated by climate variability, may attain alarming proportions in the coming period. In order to overcome this situation, a multipronged, community-based approach with polycentric policy support is urgently required to revive the open-wells which were once the lifeline of these rural communities in Pali district of Rajasthan.