by Dr. Proloy Deb and Dr. Swatantra Dubey
The Central Plain region of Uttar Pradesh is widely known for its fertile soil and is now at the forefront of a pressing environmental concern: rapid groundwater depletion. Approximately 46 billion cubic meters (BCM) of groundwater resources were withdrawn alone in 2023, attributed to agricultural practices (Singh, 2025). This volume is sufficient to submerge the entire area of Agra under water equivalent to the height of a three-story building.
Summer rice (or Satha Dhan) is generally water-intensive, requiring excessive irrigation due to existing higher temperatures and raising the overall crop water requirement. Overreliance on groundwater for irrigation during this period exacerbates strain on the state’s water resources, leading to concerns about long-term sustainability. The ill effects of groundwater overexploitation can already be seen, as reports suggest groundwater table depletion of up to 10 cm per year (Singh et al. 2019). If this trend persists, the state could face severe water shortages soon, impacting not only agriculture but also drinking water supplies and industrial needs.
The Uttar Pradesh (UP) State Water Policy 2020 emphasizes the need for integrated water resources management (IWRM) and recognizes the importance of scientific and technological advancements in water governance. The policy advocates for a river basin-focused approach, participatory water management, and the promotion of water-use efficiency across various sectors, including agriculture. By integrating IRRI’s expertise in rice cultivation with CGIAR’s policy innovation program Water Nexus, these collaborative efforts plan to transform agricultural practices in Uttar Pradesh. The focus is on achieving sustainable water management, enhancing food security, and improving the livelihoods of farming communities in the region.
Groundwater depletion and triple cropping
Triple cropping patterns, such as rice-mustard-rice or rice-pulses-rice, are being progressively adopted by farmers, which significantly impacts the environmental sustainability of mid-western and central UP. Historically, the rice-wheat cropping system was most common in the region, with summer rice cultivation limited to flood-prone areas with abundant water. However, the spread of reliable groundwater irrigation facilities and high-yielding rice varieties led to a widespread adoption of summer rice cultivation.
Initially, cultivated rice varieties were traditional, low-yielding, and short-duration (maturing within 60 to 70 days after transplanting). However, these traditional varieties have been replaced by commonly-grown basmati varieties. Although summer rice has been cultivated for many decades, farmers have only lately reported deepening the tubewells, citing summer rice as the main reason. Furthermore, the state government has only recently become aware of the adverse impacts of this practice.
The path forward
Considering the existing adverse effects and taking the learnings from the agriculture-led groundwater scarcity across Haryana and Punjab, the Department of Agriculture, Government of UP organized a workshop on Summer Rice on 19th March 2025. The state Agriculture Ministers, Principal Secretaries, ICAR Director, Vice Chancellors of multiple universities, IRRI scientists, Director from Groundwater Board, progressive farmers, and scientists from different Universities and agricultural extension centers, locally known as Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), took part in the workshop.
The workshop underscored the urgent need for crop diversification, advocating a shift from water-intensive summer rice to less water-demanding crops like maize, pulses, and oilseeds. The IRRI water management team presented findings on the spatial extent of summer rice cultivation in the state and its contribution to groundwater withdrawal.
The team’s findings suggest that approximately 350,000 hectares are under summer rice cultivation, a stark contrast to the government’s reported figure of 50,000 he ctares. Additionally, in 2023 alone, an estimated 2730 Mm3 (million cubic meters) of groundwater was extracted for irrigating summer rice.
Furthermore, the workshop highlighted the importance of strengthening groundwater management through dedicated institutional frameworks and promoting farmer education programs to raise awareness about sustainable practices. By implementing these strategies, the Uttar Pradesh government aims to mitigate the adverse effects of summer rice cultivation, ensuring the sustainability of its agricultural sector and the preservation of vital groundwater resources.
What actions UP government wants to be taken
Policymakers are encouraged to develop and implement regulations that promote crop diversification and implement water pricing as an effective tool for managing groundwater exploitation. Furthermore, agricultural scientists and researchers should focus on identifying viable alternative crops and advancing resource conservation technologies. Similarly, extension services, including Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), should emphasize educating and training farmers on sustainable practices such as water accounting and efficient water management techniques. Moreover, groundwater management authorities should monitor and regulate water usage to ensure the sustainability of vital resources.
The challenge of water scarcity in rice farming in Uttar Pradesh demands a collaborative approach. Investments in research, innovation, and policy-driven solutions are an urgent need for the future of agriculture, amidst the impending effects of climate change. The government, as well as scientists, researchers, and farmers must work together to scale up water-efficient technologies and ensure fair water allocation policies.
References:
Singh, V. (2025) Water-guzzling crops push Uttar Pradesh to the brink of a groundwater crisis. DownToEarth https://www.downtoearth.org.in/water/water-guzzling-crops-push-uttar-pradesh-to-the-brink-of-a-groundwater-crisis (Accessed on 03 April 2025)
Singh, P., Sharma, V., Upadhyay, R.K., Kumar, N., Jadaun, S.P.S. (2019) Impact of summer rice cultivation on groundwater in Pilibhit district, Uttar Pradesh, India. Paper presented at the International Conference on Intelligent Computing and Remote Sensing, Bhubaneswar, India, 19-20 July 2019.
