New Delhi: The Prime Minister India, Dr. Manmohan Singh, has said that the challenge of managing our water resources in a rational and sustainable manner will require action on many fronts and coordination across different sectors of the economy. Delivering inaugural address at the “5th Asian Regional Conference of the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage on improvement in efficiency of irrigation projects through technology up-gradation and better operation & maintenance” here today, he said that in India, we have tried to address these complex inter-relationships through the formulation of a National Water Mission, which is one of the eight national missions that are part of our National Action Plan on Climate Change launched recently by the Government of India.
The Prime Minister said that the main objective of our “National Water Mission” is integrated water resource management by conserving water, minimizing wastage and ensuring its more equitable distribution both across
and within various states of our union.
The Prime Minister emphasized that water-related issues need to be addressed with the full involvement of the local communities and take into account specific local conditions and concerns. Farmers as principal stakeholders should be consulted in any agricultural water management initiatives. Women play a key role in food production activities in a large number of countries. Therefore, a special effort should be made to involve women in process of decision-making, he added.
He said that an expansion of irrigation and improvement in irrigation efficiency are thuskey not only to improving agricultural productivity but also to our strategy for sustainable water use. There has to be a greater synergy between our agricultural policies and our water policies with a view to securing food supply, especially to the poor and vulnerable sections of the population, through more efficient and sustainable use of scarce water resources.
The Prime Minister said that the target of doubling the annual rate of growth of agriculture in India to 4% during the Eleventh Plan Period of 2007-2012 is a top priority for our government. To achieve this, we are sharply increasing public investment in agriculture. The most important area for investment in agriculture relates to the provision of water and its most efficient use. In fact, we hope to be able to add about 16 million hectares to the irrigated area during the Eleventh Five Year Plan.
He said that an assessment of the irrigation system in India indicates that efficiencies of surface water systems can be improved from the present level of 35 to 40% to about 60% and that of groundwater systems from the existing 65% to about 75%. Similar situations prevail in most developing countries in Asia and we have a great deal to learn from each others experience. Utilization of created irrigation potential is another crucial issue. In India only about 84% of the created irrigation potential has been utilized thus far. Efficient use of crop water can increase the gross irrigated area, either by increasing the irrigated cropped area or the intensity of irrigation.
Pawan Kumar Bansal, the Union Minister of Water Resources in his address said that sustainable development of water resources – the most precious gift of mother nature to mankind – and its most efficient use is a critical challenge before us today. In this perspective, the theme of the conference “Improvement in Efficiency of Irrigation Projects through Technology Upgradation and Better Operation and Maintenance” is indeed very pertinent.
Dr. Chandra Madramootoo, President, International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage also addressed on the occasion. About 700 professionals from about 45 countries including India are participating in the conference to deliberate on issues like Modernization of public/state operated irrigation system and services, Public Private Partnership in irrigation development and management, Integrated approach in agricultural drainage, Capacity Development for modern irrigation management, Impact of climate change on water resources availability and crop productivity, legal aspects in sharing of water resources.
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