Learning 5 ways farmers use to conserve water and promote sustainable agriculture

The agriculture industry uses 70% of all available water. Freshwater supply is restricted about 2.5%, to be precise and the majority of it is used for agricultural purposes. Depletion of groundwater poses a hazard to global food security. In addition, the outflow is substantially faster than the inflow; India consumes over 245 billion cubic metres of groundwater year, with 90% of it going to agriculture. The situation is far worse than it appears to the naked eye and the government is well aware of this. Consumption is on the soil; as a result, agricultural land and freshwater will be under increased stress. As a result, farmers aided by agricultural technology, are now applying advanced water conservation procedures, paving the way for sustainable agriculture in the near future.
Let us first review the current concerns before examining how farmers are conserving water to improve agricultural sustainability.

Painting a Negative Image
Small-scale farmers are the hardest hit in the agricultural sector. Seasonal cycles have already damaged a number of harvests. Floods and droughts are becoming more severe with each passing season as a result of global climate change. Agricultural losses account for over one-third of all disaster losses. Every year, several states, like as Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and others, are hit hard.
This has a negative impact on the agricultural sector's overall economy. Each harvest, farmers lose between 20%-30% of their revenue. The government attempted to remedy the situation by constructing irrigation canals. However there are a number of disadvantages.
The majority of farmers still struggle to obtain appropriate water supplies and knowledge, such as how to employ technology in agriculture to effectively conserve water. As a result, the harvest suffers greatly, as does GDP.
And, given India's variety, a single cohesive approach will not suffice.

The top 5 ways farmers are conserving water for sustainable agriculture are discussed here.

Rainwater collection
Farmers can store excess rainfall for later use using this simple but effective technique. As a result, farmers can not only ensure adequate water supply during the harvest, but also successfully recharge groundwater levels to combat rapid depletion.
The strategy is used in drought-prone areas of the country when rainfall is plentiful to help recharge groundwater.
A few states, including Rajasthan, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and others, have benefited from this system and many more are implementing it on a wide basis.

Irrigation Planning
When it comes to water conservation, agricultural technology has shown to be extremely effective. AgTech pioneers have devised practical solutions to reduce water consumption. For example, irrigation plans can be scheduled based on local weather conditions and forecasts for the week.

Local Produce
Advances in seed technology have resulted in hardy crop types that provide high yields even in adverse situations. Crop advice suited to the crop type and the agro-climatic zone also help to boost agricultural productivity.

Organic Agriculture
Organic farming increases output while minimising fertiliser consumption. Organically farmed maize produced 31% more production during droughts than conventionally grown corn, according to a Rodale Institute survey.
This strategy also helps recycle water and eliminates the risk of chemical fertilisers damaging groundwater. According to the same Rodale Institute study, organic fields can raise groundwater levels by up to 20%
Eutrophication is also on the decline, thanks to more organic farming adoption and less reliance on chemical fertilisers. This also contributes to the preservation of freshwater habitats, making agricultural development more sustainable.

Use of AgTech Solutions
The use of technology in agriculture to aid sustainable development has become more common in recent years. Farmers and organisations receive advance warnings of potential agri-adversity, allowing them to conserve water more effectively and increase production significantly. Monitoring all farming practises with farm management software, from pre-sowing to harvest, improves better water management.