Declining per capita water availability, over-exploitation of ground water resources, low per cap... more Declining per capita water availability, over-exploitation of ground water resources, low per capita water storage capacity, increasing variation in rainfall patterns, and high levels of water pollution, jeopardize India’s growth. Coupled with high spatial and temporal variation in rainfall distribution and with only 28% of the total available water resources utilizable, alternative economic approaches are needed to relieve the stress on available supply.
Agriculture is the mainstay of Bihar's economy and the economic growth of the state is depend... more Agriculture is the mainstay of Bihar's economy and the economic growth of the state is dependent on the growth of the agricultural sector. This growth is, in turn, fuelled by irrigation facilities. With small and marginal farmers having 96% of landholdings, the major share of irrigation (70%) is provided by the minor sources, namely tube wells. For agricultural productivity and cropping intensity to increase, Bihar’s irrigation intensity has to increase from 85% today to 158% in 2017 and 209% in 2022. Given the importance of minor irrigation, the MWRD has a crucial role in the development and maintenance of irrigation infrastructure in order to drive agricultural growth and increase on-farm productivity. However, currently, the MWRD lacks human resources as well as skills and technology. Only 46% of the sanctioned staff positions are filled. The purpose of this study was to advise the MWRD, Bihar on the steps needed to reorganise and strengthen the department to achieve its irri...
Declining per capita water availability, over-exploitation of ground water resources, low per cap... more Declining per capita water availability, over-exploitation of ground water resources, low per capita water storage capacity, increasing variation in rainfall patterns, and high levels of water pollution, jeopardize India’s growth. Coupled with high spatial and temporal variation in rainfall distribution and with only 28% of the total available water resources utilizable, alternative economic approaches are needed to relieve the stress on available supply.
Agriculture is the mainstay of Bihar's economy and the economic growth of the state is depend... more Agriculture is the mainstay of Bihar's economy and the economic growth of the state is dependent on the growth of the agricultural sector. This growth is, in turn, fuelled by irrigation facilities. With small and marginal farmers having 96% of landholdings, the major share of irrigation (70%) is provided by the minor sources, namely tube wells. For agricultural productivity and cropping intensity to increase, Bihar’s irrigation intensity has to increase from 85% today to 158% in 2017 and 209% in 2022. Given the importance of minor irrigation, the MWRD has a crucial role in the development and maintenance of irrigation infrastructure in order to drive agricultural growth and increase on-farm productivity. However, currently, the MWRD lacks human resources as well as skills and technology. Only 46% of the sanctioned staff positions are filled. The purpose of this study was to advise the MWRD, Bihar on the steps needed to reorganise and strengthen the department to achieve its irri...
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