Water productivity in agriculture: a review of empirical evidence for selected Asian countries and India

Abstract

In the context of the growing demand for water and the emerging water crisis, this paper examines the prospects for improving water use efficiency in agriculture that will help water savings and also increase crop yields per unit of water input. Evidences from experimental or farmer participatory trials in a cross section of regions, countries, sites in Asia and the Indo-Gangetic plains suggest that alternate agronomic and crop management practices such as zero-tillage, bed planting, non-puddled rice culture and laser leveling can result in water savings and also improve rice and wheat yields per unit of water input.Length: pp.214-225Irrigation efficiencyWater productivityRiceWheat