Ground water recharge and its efficient use through micro-irrigation for crop production in coastal Gujarat

Abstract

Groundwater, a reliable resource for drinking purpose and agricultural crop production, has become a major natural resource contributing to the water supply system. Due to its continued withdrawal, it requires replenishment through recharge. Artificial recharge of ground water through recharge bores is an important strategy that helps in improving both the ground water level and quality. In the absence of assured irrigation supply, majority of the crops in Bharuch district of Gujarat used to face water shortages leading the crop failure or reduced crop yields. To tackle this problem, Regional Research Station of CSSRI installed artificial groundwater recharge structures in 15 farmers’ fields in Bharuch, Amod, Valia, Ankleshwar, Netrang and Jhagadia Talukas in coastal Gujarat region. The performance of these structures was evaluated in terms of rise in groundwater levels, improvement in its quality and enhancement of farmers’ income during 2008 to 2010. Subsequently Micro Irrigation Systems (MIS) were implemented in 10 sites, including five at groundwater recharge project sites and the effect of MIS on crop production in divergent crops like sugarcane, cotton, banana, water melon and cotton was studied. Detailed results at two sites indicated that enhanced availability and reduction in groundwater salinity due to recharge interventions resulted in increase in crop yields and consequently farmers’ income to the tune of 14, 38, 50 and 100 % in papaya, banana, soybean and mango, respectively. The ground water with improved quality, when used with MIS also resulted in substantial increase of crop yields leading to B/C ratio of 4.35, 2.94, 2.84 and 1.22 in water melon, Bt. Cotton, banana and sugarcane, respectively and more importantly water productivity of more than 12 kg/cum in high water demanding sugarcane.