2024-09-15 07:33:11
Replacing about 40 per cent of the area sown with rice with other crops could help recover 60-100 cubic kilometres of groundwater lost since 2000 in north India, a study has found.
Current cropping patterns — dominated by rice, which relies heavily on groundwater for irrigation — could result in a loss of about 13-43 cubic kilometres of groundwater if warming of the planet continues, a team of researchers, including those from the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, Gujarat, said.
The researchers proposed shifting from existing cropping habits by cutting down on cultivating rice as a potential solution for sustaining the fast-depleting resource in a warmer world that threatens food and water security.
“Replacing 37 per cent area of rice with other crops can recover 61 to 108 cubic kilometres groundwater compared to 13 to 43 cubic kilometres with current cropping pattern under the 1.5-3 degrees Celsius global warming levels,” the authors wrote in the study accepted for publication in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) Nexus.
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Compared to current cropping trends, the benefits of switching crops in saving groundwater are more during the prolonged dry periods predicted under global warming, the researchers said.
According to the 2018 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC’s) Special Report: Global Warming of 1.5 degrees Celsius, if current trends continue, global warming is likely to reach 1.5 degrees Celsius between 2030 and 2050 and could reach 3 degrees Celsius by 2100.
Changing crop patterns can be substantially beneficial — particularly for the States of Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh — for ensuring groundwater sustainability and farmers’ profitability, the authors said.
They also found that switching of crops did not substantially impact groundwater levels where recovery rates were low such as in the States of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Jharkhand.
The findings have policy implications for identifying optimal cropping patterns for sustaining groundwater in the irrigated regions of north India, along with ensuring farmers’ profitability and income, they said.
Previous estimates have suggested that about 300 cubic kilometres of groundwater have been lost between 2002 and 2022 as a result of the cropping trends in north India, where 80 per cent of the cultivated area is sown with rice.
Parts of Punjab and the Ganga basin experienced the fastest rates of groundwater depletion in the world, the researchers said, and added that northern and northwestern regions of India are among the global groundwater hotspots.
Studies have shown crop switching to be beneficial for environmental sustainability and farmers’ income in China, the US, and India.
In this study, the researchers looked at current cropping patterns in regions that have seen considerable groundwater depletion. The team then used groundwater, well and satellite observations and models to estimate groundwater lost between 2002 and 2022.
For estimating the effects of switching crops on groundwater, the team evaluated two scenarios — in one, the rice-grown area is cut down by five per cent, while in the other, an additional 37 per cent of rice-area is replaced with cereals, pulses and oilseeds, resulting in a total of 42 per cent reduction of rice-grown area.
The authors found 45 cubic kilometres of groundwater could have been saved in the first scenario and 91 cubic kilometres of groundwater could have been saved in northern India during 2002-2022 in the second scenario, compared to the current cropping patterns.
They also found that in Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, the groundwater saved over the last two decades could have been around one to four times the maximum holding capacity of the largest dam in India, the Indira Sagar, under the two scenarios.
Further, under scenario one, the researchers estimated a 13.5 per cent boost in farmers’ profits, whilst maintaining the same rice production.
However, under the second scenario, the authors estimated about 86 per cent increase in farmers’ profits, but at the cost of a notable 45 per cent reduction in rice production.
Suggesting alternatives to cultivating rice, the researchers proposed cereals for Uttar Pradesh and oilseeds for West Bengal.
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– How does shifting from rice to other crops help in saving groundwater in North India?
Table of Contents
Saving Groundwater in North India: Shifting from Rice to Other Crops can be a Game-Changer
India, the world’s second-largest rice producer, is facing a severe groundwater crisis in its northern regions. The alarming rate of groundwater depletion in these areas has raised concerns about food and water security. A recent study has found that replacing 40% of the area sown with rice with other crops could help recover 60-100 cubic kilometers of groundwater lost since 2000 in north India.
The Current State of Groundwater Depletion
North India, particularly states like Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, are among the global groundwater hotspots. The region has experienced the fastest rates of groundwater depletion in the world. Previous estimates suggest that about 300 cubic kilometers of groundwater have been lost between 2002 and 2022 due to the dominant rice-based cropping patterns. Rice cultivation, which relies heavily on groundwater for irrigation, is a significant contributor to this depletion.
Shifting from Rice to Other Crops: A Potential Solution
The researchers, including those from the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, Gujarat, propose shifting from existing cropping habits by reducing rice cultivation. By replacing 37% of the area currently under rice with other crops like cereals, pulses, and oilseeds, the study suggests that 61-108 cubic kilometers of groundwater could be recovered. This is significantly higher than the 13-43 cubic kilometers of groundwater that could be saved with current cropping patterns under 1.5-3 degrees Celsius global warming levels.
Benefits of Crop Switching
The benefits of shifting from rice to other crops are more pronounced during prolonged dry periods predicted under global warming. This switch can be substantially beneficial, particularly for Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, in ensuring groundwater sustainability and farmers’ profitability. The researchers also found that switching crops did not substantially impact groundwater levels where recovery rates were low, such as in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Jharkhand.
Policy Implications
The study’s findings have significant policy implications for identifying optimal cropping patterns for sustaining groundwater in irrigated regions of north India. The authors suggest that policymakers should consider crop switching as a viable solution for ensuring groundwater sustainability, farmers’ profitability, and income.
Previous Studies on Crop Switching
This study is not an isolated finding. Previous research has shown that crop switching can be beneficial for environmental sustainability and farmers’ income in China, the US, and India. By adopting alternative crops, farmers can reduce their dependence on groundwater, improve soil health, and enhance their income.
Methodology
The researchers used a combination of groundwater, well, and satellite observations, as well as models, to estimate the groundwater lost between 2002 and 2022. They evaluated two scenarios: one where the rice-grown area is reduced by 5%, and another where an additional 37% of rice-area is replaced with cereals, pulses, and oilseeds, resulting in a total of 42% reduction of rice-grown area.
Conclusion
The study’s findings offer a ray of hope for addressing the groundwater crisis in north India. By shifting from rice to other crops, India can recover a significant portion of its lost groundwater, ensuring sustainable food and water security for its growing population. This requires a collaborative effort from policymakers, farmers, and researchers to develop and implement evidence-based solutions that prioritize groundwater conservation and sustainable agriculture practices.
Keyword Focus:
Groundwater depletion
Rice cultivation
North India
Crop switching
Sustainable agriculture
Water security
Food security
Climate change
Global warming
Indian agriculture
Irrigation
Water conservation
In what ways can replacing rice with other crops improve groundwater levels in North India?
Replacing Rice with Other Crops Can Help Recover Lost Groundwater in North India: Study
A recent study has found that replacing about 40% of the area sown with rice with other crops could help recover 60-100 cubic kilometers of groundwater lost since 2000 in north India. The research suggests that current cropping patterns, dominated by rice, which relies heavily on groundwater for irrigation, could result in a loss of about 13-43 cubic kilometers of groundwater if global warming continues.
The researchers propose shifting from existing cropping habits by cutting down on cultivating rice as a potential solution for sustaining the fast-depleting resource in a warmer world that threatens food and water security. According to the study, replacing 37% of the area of rice with other crops can recover 61 to 108 cubic kilometers of groundwater compared to 13 to 43 cubic kilometers with current cropping patterns under the 1.5-3 degrees Celsius global warming levels.
The Impact of Global Warming on Groundwater
The study highlights the significance of adapting to climate change by modifying cropping patterns to ensure groundwater sustainability. With global warming expected to reach 1.5 degrees Celsius between 2030 and 2050 and 3 degrees Celsius by 2100, the researchers emphasize the need for sustainable practices to mitigate the effects of climate change.
Benefits of Crop Diversification
The study finds that changing crop patterns can be substantially beneficial, particularly for the states of Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, for ensuring groundwater sustainability and farmers’ profitability. The researchers also found that switching crops did not substantially impact groundwater levels where
