Question.
Why the share of the agricultural sector in total water used in the country is expected to decline?
(NCERT class 12 geography, India People and Economy, Chapter -6 Water resources)
Answer.
The following is the share of water use resources by the agricultural, industrial, and domestic sectors in India.
- Most of India's groundwater (92 percent) and surface water resources (89 percent) are used by the agriculture sector.
- The share of the industrial sector is only 2 percent of surface water and 9 percent of groundwater.
- The household sector uses more surface water (9%) than groundwater.
- So we can say that the share of agriculture in total water consumption is very large as compared to other sectors.
- However, in the future, the share of the agriculture sector in the total water used in the country is likely to decline due to the following reasons:
- Rapid industrial development can increase water consumption in the industrial sector.
- Rapid urbanization can lead to an increase in domestic water consumption.
- The increasing use of efficient irrigation techniques such as drip irrigation and sprinkler irrigation techniques can reduce water consumption in the agriculture sector.
- Water conservation techniques in agriculture such as mulching, integrated farming, and growing drought-resistant crops can reduce water demand in agricultural areas.
- The use of agricultural land for non-agricultural activities will reduce the agricultural area, which can lead to a fall in the demand for water.
Due to the above reasons, the share of the agriculture sector in water for total use in the country is likely to decline.
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