Water conservation schemes: An Initiative towards Crop Diversification in Haryana

Abstract

Agriculture is a major human economic activity. India is an agricultural country and agriculture consumes a lot of water.  60% of the total clean and useful water is used for irrigation, whether it is water from canals and rivers or groundwater. Due to excessive consumption of water, a crisis may arise in future, so water conservation is very important. From time to time, various programs have been implemented by the Indian government as well as Haryana government to conserve water, so that the economic condition of the farmer and the fertility of the land remain forever. If we see, according to the production in India, then the names of Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh of North India comes first, here we are talking about Haryana state. Haryana is a landlocked state in the northwestern part of India, which is situated on the banks of Yamuna River. The main crops here are wheat, rice, sugarcane, cotton, barley, corn, etc. The crops here are mainly sown Rabi and Kharif, in which wheat and rice are the main crops.  It is believed about 68% of Haryana's population is engaged in agriculture. Haryana comes under Trans Gangetic plains and is placed under Agro Climatic Zone VI (1888-89). It is a fertile alluvial plain drained by the Ganga River and its tributaries. The average temperature of July month varies from 26°C- 41°C and that of January month 9°C-24°C.The amount of annual rainfall lies between 100 cm and 200 cm. The region has vast potential of groundwater and surface runoff in the form of perennial rivers which is utilized for irrigation through tube wells, canals and wells. Rice, maize, millets in Kharif season; wheat, gram, barley, peas, mustard and potato in Rabi season are important crops.