Accelerating Groundwater and Energy Use for Agricultural Growth in Odisha: Technological and Policy Issues

The groundwater resources in Odisha, one of the eastern states of India, suffer from the dual problems of under-development and under-utilization of available irrigation potential. The present paper has unravelled the pattern of groundwater development and its utilization, has evaluated the prospects of energy regulation and has suggested technological and policy options for sustainable management of groundwater resources. About a quarter of the groundwater structures in Odisha are non-functional and these may be targeted on priority to improve the irrigation infrastructure. The cost of groundwater extraction in the hard rock region is 2–3 times more than in the coastal/alluvial region, depending on the type of wells and energy sources. The assured and quality electricity supply can accelerate groundwater utilization. A part of investment for such infrastructure can accrue from the reducing existing subsidy on power. The groundwater extraction cost with higher electricity tariff after removal of subsidy is lower than that incurred using diesel-operated pumps, even at the subsidized diesel price. There is ample opportunity to harness the potential of groundwater resources through suitable technological interventions and energy regulations for accelerated agricultural growth in Odisha.