Groundwater depletion in India ‘threatens food security’

Groundwater depletion in India could result in a reduction in food crops by up to 20 per cent across the country and up to 68 per cent in regions projected to have low future groundwater availability in 2025, says a study.

Groundwater is a critical resource for food security, accounting for 60 per cent of irrigation supplies in India, the world’s largest consumer of underground water, said the study, published in Science Advances. But unsustainable consumption of groundwater for irrigation and home use is leading to its depletion.

Using high-resolution satellite imagery and census data, the study quantifies the impact of groundwater depletion on cropping intensity. As the second largest producer of wheat, rice and lentils in the world, India accounts for ten per cent of the world’s agricultural production with over 600 million farmers dependent on agriculture as a primary source of livelihood.

Any huge losses in production will not only affect Indian agriculture but will also threaten food security in South Asia and the world, the study says.

The study considered whether irrigation canals that divert surface water from lakes and rivers can make up for groundwater depletion but found that this would favour farms close to canals, leading to unequal access.