‘Sacred, Finite National Resource’: President Murmu Urges Innovation in Farm Water Use

In a compelling address, President Droupadi Murmu highlighted the urgent need for innovative water conservation in agriculture, calling it a “sacred, finite national resource.” Speaking at a national conference on sustainable water management, she warned of India’s deepening water crisis and urged a paradigm shift in farming practices—the largest consumer of water.

India’s Water Crisis: A Ticking Time Bomb

With 18% of the world’s population but only 4% of its freshwater, India faces severe water stress. Agriculture guzzles 80% of water supplies, with inefficient methods like flood irrigation and unchecked groundwater extraction pushing regions like Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan toward depletion. Climate change-induced erratic monsoons worsen the strain.

President Murmu framed water as not just an economic asset but a “sacred trust” demanding preservation. “Our ancestors revered water—today, we risk exhausting it,” she said, advocating a fusion of traditional wisdom and modern innovation.

5 Key Innovations to Transform Farm Water Use

1. Drip & Micro-Irrigation

Replacing flood irrigation with precision systems (drip/sprinkler) can slash water use by 50%. States like Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh showcase success, but national scaling needs policy backing and farmer training.

2. Crop Diversification

Shifting from water-heavy crops (paddy, sugarcane) to millets, pulses, and oilseeds can curb demand. Murmu praised efforts like the Millet Mission but stressed the need for better procurement incentives.

3. AI & Smart Farming

AI-driven soil sensors and automated irrigation optimize usage. The President spotlighted agri-tech startups and urged public-private partnerships to accelerate adoption.

4. Wastewater Recycling

Repurposing treated urban wastewater for farming—a model from Israel and Singapore—could revolutionize supply. Murmu proposed peri-urban pilot projects to test feasibility.

5. Community Water Governance

Reviving traditional systems (johads, kattas) with local involvement boosts resilience. She cited Rajasthan’s ‘Water Man’ Rajendra Singh as proof of grassroots impact.

Policy Reforms & Mindset Shifts

Beyond tech, Murmu emphasized structural changes:
– Stricter groundwater laws with enforceable penalties.
– Subsidy reforms redirecting funds from power/water to sustainable tech.
– Farmer education to prove water efficiency’s long-term payoff.

“Every drop saved today is a lifeline for tomorrow,” she urged, calling for national unity on water security.

The Path Forward

India’s crisis is solvable—but requires immediate action. Murmu’s closing words resonated: “Water weaves our past, present, and future. Let’s not be the generation that broke it.”*

For NextMinuteNews, this is a wake-up call: water innovation isn’t just farming’s duty—it’s India’s survival mission.

— NextMinuteNews