Mapping efficient irrigation techniques
A comprehensive groundwater quality map for irrigation is being prepared, for the first time, under the auspices of the All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP). A draft map has already been prepared and was presented at the 14th workshop of the AICRP at Bapatla Agriculture College in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh. The AICRP, in collaboration with the Central Ground Water Board, now plans to update the map with additional inputs and parameters.
Project coordinator Raj K Gupta told the scientists at the workshop that the map was the result of a 20-year-long survey; its aim was to boost agricultural production by evolving proper agricultural techniques. According to Gupta, indices such as salinity, sodium absorption ratio, residual sodium carbonate or residual alkalinity were taken into consideration for the characterisation of groundwater. More data was being collected from minor irrigation and tubewell corporations of various state governments.
The AICRP has also simultaneously entered into an agreement with the Regional Remote Sensing Agency at Dehra Dun, for using satellite date to commence mapping of salt-affected soils.