Water Use in Rice Crop Cultivation in India: A Quantitative Assessment

IF 1.5 Q3 AGRONOMY

Agricultural Research Pub Date : 2025-09-10 DOI:10.1007/s40003-025-00892-1

Manish Debnath, Sumanta Chatterjee, A. K. Nayak, D. Chakraborty, H. Pathak

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Abstract

Water management is critical for sustainable paddy cultivation in India where rice plays a major role in food security. This study explores the water footprint (L kg⁻¹) and water productivity (kg m⁻³) of paddy cultivation across various regions in India, taking into account both green (rainfed) and blue (irrigated) water components. The water footprints and water productivity were calculated using spatial and temporal data on rainfall, soil, irrigation sources and crop coefficients data across diverse agro-ecological zones in India. Regional averages were derived from meteorological and hydrological datasets, including both green and blue water inputs. On an average, it takes 1500–2000 L of water to produce 1 kg of paddy in India, with significant regional variations influenced by soil, climate, irrigation practices, crop productivity. These figures are lower than those of Bangladesh (2179–3268 L kg⁻¹), Indonesia (1886–3030 L kg⁻¹) and Philippines (900–3333 L kg⁻¹), but higher than those of China (~ 1321 L kg⁻¹) and Vietnam (~ 952 L kg⁻¹). Regions like Northeastern states depend on rainfed paddy cultivation due to abundant rainfall, with green water footprints ranging from 1155 to 2660 L kg⁻¹. There is significant potential for developing water harvesting infrastructure in this region. In contrast, regions like Punjab and Haryana, which practice intensive irrigation and ground water extraction, show higher water footprints ranging from 2270 to 2672 L kg⁻¹, highlighting the need for improved water management strategies. The water footprint of paddy is higher compared to that of wheat and maize but can be similar to cotton, mustard and even groundnut with efficient irrigation management. The study emphasizes the importance of tailored approaches to enhance water productivity, reduce water footprints, and ensure sustainable rice production in the context of climate change to achieve the Sustainable Agricultural Goals.

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印度水稻种植用水：一项定量评估

在印度，水管理对可持续水稻种植至关重要，因为水稻在粮食安全中发挥着重要作用。本研究探讨了印度不同地区水稻种植的水足迹（L kg - 1）和水生产力（kg m - 3），同时考虑了绿色（雨养）和蓝色（灌溉）水成分。利用印度不同农业生态区的降雨、土壤、灌溉来源和作物系数的时空数据，计算了水足迹和水生产力。区域平均值来自气象和水文数据集，包括绿水和蓝水输入。在印度，生产1公斤水稻平均需要1500-2000升的水，受土壤、气候、灌溉方式和作物生产力的影响，区域差异很大。这些数字低于孟加拉国（2179-3268 L kg - 1）、印度尼西亚（1886-3030 L kg - 1）和菲律宾（900-3333 L kg - 1），但高于中国（~ 1321 L kg - 1）和越南（~ 952 L kg - 1）。东北各邦等地区因降雨充足而依赖雨养水稻种植，其绿色水足迹在1155至2660 L kg−1之间。该地区发展集水基础设施的潜力巨大。相比之下，旁遮普邦和哈里亚纳邦等地区实行集约化灌溉和抽取地下水，其水足迹较高，在2270至2672升公斤−1之间，突出表明需要改进水管理战略。水稻的水足迹高于小麦和玉米，但在有效的灌溉管理下，可以与棉花、芥菜甚至花生相似。该研究强调了在气候变化背景下提高水生产力、减少水足迹和确保可持续水稻生产对实现可持续农业目标的重要性。

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来源期刊

Agricultural Research AGRONOMY-

CiteScore

3.80

自引率

0.00%

发文量

期刊介绍： The main objective of this initiative is to promote agricultural research and development. The journal will publish high quality original research papers and critical reviews on emerging fields and concepts for providing future directions. The publications will include both applied and basic research covering the following disciplines of agricultural sciences: Genetic resources, genetics and breeding, biotechnology, physiology, biochemistry, management of biotic and abiotic stresses, and nutrition of field crops, horticultural crops, livestock and fishes; agricultural meteorology, environmental sciences, forestry and agro forestry, agronomy, soils and soil management, microbiology, water management, agricultural engineering and technology, agricultural policy, agricultural economics, food nutrition, agricultural statistics, and extension research; impact of climate change and the emerging technologies on agriculture, and the role of agricultural research and innovation for development.