Abstract

Micro irrigation is found to be the only alternative to sustain irrigated crops in a scenario of impending shortage of fresh water the country is facing. Farmers in India have successfully adopted MI taking the country to number one position in MI coverage (16.6 million ha) in the world. Continuing with the adoption process, even rice crop is successfully grown with drip irrigation. Data on yield, water consumption and water productivity of basmati rice grown in selected farmers’ field with drip irrigation in Haryana is reported here. Rice yield improved by 10-18%, water consumption reduced by 51% and water productivity enhanced by 63%. The drip system could also be adapted to the rotation crop in the ricewheat cropping system.