Punjab is renowned the world over as the land of five rivers and the ‘Granary of India’. The state has been synonymous with agricultural prosperity and often called India’s breadbasket. Despite covering only 1.53% of its geographical area, Punjab makes up for about 15–20% of India’s wheat production, around 12% of its rice production, and around 10% of its milk production.

With one of the most fertile lands in the country, the key factor that contributes to Punjab’s agricultural success is the extensive network of irrigation canals that traverse the state. Fed by the rivers Beas, Sutlej and Ravi, these canals, have been the lifeline for farming in Punjab and the farmers. Over the years, depleting groundwater level raised serious concerns over irrigation in the state and canal water irrigation offered the best sustainable and reliable water source for the crops.  

History of canal water irrigation

Canal irrigation played a very crucial role in transforming Punjab’s agricultural landscape. The construction of major irrigation projects considerably augmented the irrigated area and led to a major boost in agricultural productivity. These factors became the foundation of the Green Revolution in the state. The adoption of high-yielding varieties of crops coupled with the implementation of modern agricultural practices.  

Depletion of groundwater

Water management had been a major cause of concern for farmers and farming in Punjab. Over-extraction of groundwater for irrigation has led to a shocking decline in water levels in the state. This has also resulted in serious problems such as land subsidence and continuous waterlogging in some areas. In addition to this, the increasing rate and intensity of droughts have highlighted the necessity for more sustainable and resilient water management practices to support farming in the state.  

Revival of Canal Water Irrigation

To address the existing challenges and to provide a sustainable water management practice for irrigation, the Punjab government implemented several initiatives in Punjab including the Canal water for agriculture initiative. To reduce dependence on groundwater and to promote the use of canal water for irrigation the government introduced the following initiatives:

• Canal Modernization:

Efforts were made to modernize and revive the existing canal network in the state, to improving water conveyance efficiency and reduce water loss due to seepage and evaporation. Old canals were revived and repaired, new canals were constructed, and automated control systems were installed to effectually execute the plan. After the restoration of canal water flow, 13 areas received water after a 40-year hiatus, two areas after 35 years, five areas after 25 years and about 50 locations have seen water after 18 years.

• Malwa canal project         

This would be the first ever canal which is being built in Punjab in the post-Independence era. The proposed 150-km long Malwa canal project will cater to the irrigational needs of nearly 2 lakh acres in the southern part of the state.

• Water Conservation Measures: Significant efforts were made by the government to encourage farmers to adopt water-saving irrigation practices including drip irrigation and sprinkler irrigation. These techniques not only reduced water wastage by delivering water directly to the root zone of plants but also led to an improvement in water use efficiency.  

• Groundwater Management: Policies were implemented by the government to regulate groundwater extraction, including regulations restricting new connections for power-run tube wells in certain areas. Besides these, efforts are being made to encourage people of Punjab to adopt rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge techniques and promote it to replenish aquifers.  

• Crop Diversification: The government has been encouraging farmers to adopt crop diversification to reduce water usage and water demand. Cash benefits are being given by the state government to farmers for growing crops that are more water-efficient or that can be irrigated during non-peak water demand periods. By adopting these simple techniques farmers can ease burden on water resources.  

Long-term sustainability of agriculture in the state

Water management is crucial to ensure the long-term sustainability of agriculture in the state and the Punjab government is making diligent efforts to promote canal water irrigation and sustainable water management in the state. By promoting water-saving practices, and encouraging crop diversification, the government is working to ensure a water-secure future for Punjab’s farmers and the state’s economy.