Maha farmers need permission to grow water-guzzling crops; experts disagree

Rice, wheat and sugarcane which together account for 43 per cent of total cropped area, consume almost 80 per cent of freshwater available in the country, shows a study

The latest draft under Maharashtra Groundwater (Development and Management) Rules 2018 that requires a farmer in notified groundwater stressed areas to seek permission before sowing ‘water intensive crop,’ might be a welcome initiative towards conservation of natural resources but farmers’ organization are not happy with the move.  They say there are better alternatives available to wean farmers away from water-guzzling crops.

One option, which farmers’ groups advocate is implementing a price mechanism that incentivises farmers who refrain from growing water-guzzling crops in water-scarce areas.

Though the farmers agreed that wasteful usage of water should be curbed, they said authorities should