Recalibrating Food Systems to Hydrological Realities

Syllabus: GS3/ Environment

Context

• The World Bank, in its report “Nourish and Flourish: Water Solutions to Feed 10 Billion People on a Livable Planet,” has highlighted a structural concern that the global food system is fundamentally misaligned with hydrological realities.

Key Findings of the report

• The World Bank estimates that current agricultural water systems can sustainably support food production for only about one-third of the global population by 2050 if inefficiencies persist.
  • The crisis is primarily one of mismanagement rather than absolute water scarcity.
• India represents a paradox as it is a water-stressed country exporting water-intensive crops, thereby exporting “virtual water.”
• Groundwater depletion in major agricultural regions such as Punjab and Haryana is occurring at rates exceeding one metre annually.

Energy–Water–Food Nexus

• The International Energy Agency (IEA), through its 2026 plan “Sheltering from Oil Shocks,” has emphasised that energy disruptions can rapidly cascade into food and water crises.
  • India imports nearly 85–90% of its crude oil, making it vulnerable to global energy shocks.
• Groundwater irrigation is an energy-intensive process, dependent on electricity and diesel.
  • Rising fuel prices can increase the cost of Irrigation, Transportation and Food distribution.
• Thus, inefficiencies in water use directly increase energy demand, while energy shocks exacerbate food insecurity and inflation.

Drivers of the Crisis in India

• Distorted Incentive Structure: Free or highly subsidised electricity for irrigation reduces the marginal cost of groundwater extraction to near zero. This leads to unsustainable and excessive groundwater pumping.
• Cropping Pattern Imbalance: Policy support mechanisms encourage cultivation of water-intensive crops such as rice and sugarcane in ecologically unsuitable regions.
• Fragmented Policy Framework: Water, energy, and agriculture are governed in silos, leading to policy incoherence and inefficiency.
• Impact of Climate Change: 
  • Increasing frequency of erratic monsoons, droughts, and extreme rainfall events is disrupting agricultural cycles.
  • Climate stress, when combined with energy shocks, creates compound risks for food security.

Government Initiatives for Sustainable Management

• National Water Mission: The mission focuses on conservation, minimising wastage, and ensuring equitable distribution of water resources.
• Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY): The scheme aims to enhance irrigation coverage and improve water-use efficiency through the principle of “Per Drop More Crop.”
• Micro-Irrigation Fund: The fund supports states in expanding drip and sprinkler irrigation systems to improve water efficiency.
• Atal Bhujal Yojana: This scheme focuses on community-led groundwater management in water-stressed regions and promotes sustainable groundwater usage through behavioural change and local participation.
• PM-KUSUM Scheme: The scheme promotes solar-powered irrigation pumps, reduces dependence on diesel, and enhances farmers’ energy security.

Way Ahead

• Crop diversification away from water-intensive crops must be actively encouraged in water-stressed regions through targeted incentives and procurement support.
• The adoption of precision irrigation technologies, including drip and sprinkler systems, must be scaled up to improve water-use efficiency in agriculture.
• Government initiatives such as PM-KUSUM should be integrated with safeguards like water accounting mechanisms and smart usage controls to prevent overuse arising from low or zero marginal energy costs.
• Strengthened institutional coordination across ministries, along with integrated data systems and planning processes, will be essential to ensure long-term sustainability and effective policy implementation.

Source: TH