Water Conservation and Sustainable Agriculture: An Indian Perspective

Agriculture sector is backbone of Indian Economy which contributes 18-20% towards GDP with growing population, faces significant challenges in water conservation and sustainable agriculture. Agriculture sector covers nearly 80% freshwater resources making critical challenge of optimum use of water for conservation and sustainable agriculture. The resources of freshwater depend upon diverse environmental condition of the country. These conditions affect irregularity in Monsoon cycle which ultimately led over-extraction of groundwater, and inefficient irrigation practices have created water scarcity, soil degradation, and declining agricultural productivity. This paper discovers the current state of water conservation and sustainable agriculture in India, highlighting key challenges, strategies, and policy interventions. It also examines successful case studies and provides recommendations for achieving long-term sustainability in the agricultural sector.