Published on 23 Feb 2025
CAD is a centrally sponsored scheme by the Indian government. It's a comprehensive approach to bridge the gap between the water reaching the canals and the water actually used by farmers in their fields. It aims to improve irrigation efficiency and maximize agricultural output.
Key Components
On-Farm Development: This focuses on activities at the farm level to ensure efficient water use. It includes:
Land levelling: Creates a uniform slope for even water distribution across the field.
Drainage improvement: Prevents waterlogging, which can damage crops and reduce soil quality.
Micro-irrigation infrastructure: Provides systems like drip irrigation or sprinklers for precise water delivery directly to plant roots, minimizing wastage.
Canal Network Improvement:
Canal lining: Reduces water loss through seepage in canals, ensuring more water reaches the fields.
Desilting: Regular cleaning removes accumulated silt and debris, improving water flow capacity.
Watershed Management: Focuses on conserving rainwater and improving soil health:
Soil and water conservation practices: Techniques like contour ploughing and bunding can trap rainwater and prevent soil erosion.
Afforestation: Planting trees helps replenish groundwater and regulate local climate.
Command Area Management: Promotes participatory irrigation management (PIM):
Farmer involvement: Empowering farmers through committees to participate in water distribution decisions and maintenance activities.
Effective water scheduling: Creating a plan for water delivery based on crop water requirements and weather conditions.
Benefits of Effective CAD
Increased Agricultural Output: By ensuring efficient water use, CAD helps farmers grow more crops and improve their yields.
Example: Maharashtra sugarcane farmers see 20-30% higher yields thanks to efficient water use with CAD.
Reduced Water Wastage: Less water is lost through seepage or evaporation, promoting sustainable water management practices.
Example: Gujarat's canal lining projects cut seepage by 50%, stretching water resources further.
Improved Soil Health: Efficient water usage and soil conservation practices improve soil health, leading to better crop quality and long-term productivity.
Example: Improved drainage through CAD in the Cauvery delta restores soil fertility for diverse crops.
Enhanced Farm Incomes: Increased agricultural output and efficient water use translate to higher incomes for farmers.
Example: Pani Panchayats in Gujarat empower farmers, leading to an income increase through better water management.
Challenges of Effective CAD in India:
Limited Funding: Restricts implementation of on-farm development, canal maintenance, and watershed management.
Farmer Adoption: Encouraging new water practices and on-farm investments (e.g., levelling, micro-irrigation) requires overcoming initial hesitance.
Aging Infrastructure: Maintaining aging canals and drainage systems can be difficult, leading to water loss, distribution issues, and potential flooding.
Data Integration: Fragmented data on water availability, soil conditions, and crop water needs can hinder informed decision-making for optimal water management.
Measures to Improve CAD in India
Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): Bridge funding gaps by attracting private investment in areas like canal modernization, micro-irrigation infrastructure, and efficient water metering systems.
Farmer Capacity Building: Provide training and extension services to educate farmers on the benefits of new water management practices, cost-sharing options for on-farm development, and efficient irrigation techniques.
Technological Innovations: Promote the adoption of precision agriculture technologies like satellite-based irrigation management and smart sensors to optimize water use based on real-time data.
Strengthening Institutions: Empower Pani Panchayats and Water User Associations (WUAs) by providing training and resources to effectively manage water distribution and maintenance activities at the local level.
Data-Driven Decision Making: Invest in creating a comprehensive water information system that integrates data on water availability, soil conditions, and crop water needs.
Geography
COMMAND AREA DEVELOPMENT
Benefits of Effective CAD
Challenges of Effective CAD in India
Measures to Improve CAD in India
General Studies Paper 1
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