Walid Battal
India is seeing a significant breakthrough in drip irrigation this year, encouraged by government initiatives and new agricultural technologies. Recently, the Indian government decided to remodel its flagship irrigation program, the “Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)”, to integrate smart irrigation technologies, aiming for water efficiency of up to 20%. This revised program will free up about 50 billion m3 of water each year, improving the sustainability of agriculture, particularly in regions with the highest water demand. For example, the use of dew water helps to combat the shortage of drinking water in the Gujarat region (the westernmost Indian state of the country).
In parallel, Netafim India launched “Toofan”, a new clog-resistant drip line optimized for Indian agricultural conditions. The system, which promises a cost reduction of 20 to 25 percent per hectare, helps farmers increase productivity while reducing maintenance and equipment expenses. With a regulated water flow rate of between 1 and 2.2 liters/h, “Toofan” is designed for long-term applications, covering 25,000 hectares by 2026 and reaching 35,000 farmers.
Key figures of Indian irrigation
– 52% of cropland currently has access to irrigation, although the goal is to increase this figure to 100% in the coming decades.
– 70% of the fresh water consumed in India is dedicated to agriculture, making water efficiency paramount.
– The new PMKSY program could reduce annual water consumption by about 50 billion cubic meters, through the adoption of smart irrigation technologies.
These developments illustrate India’s commitment to more resilient and sustainable agriculture, supporting food security while addressing the water challenges the country faces.