Farmers urged to focus on wiser use of water in Karnataka – The Hindu

Report on Integrated Water Management Training for Farmers in Karnataka to Advance Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

A three-day training program was conducted at the Water and Land Management Institute (WALMI) in Dharwad for farmers within the Malaprabha and Ghataprabha command areas. Organized by the Command Area Development Authority (CADA), the initiative aimed to promote integrated water resources conservation and management. This report outlines the key recommendations and training components, highlighting their direct alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Strategic Imperatives for Water Conservation and Management (SDG 6)

M. Satish Kumar, CADA administrative officer, emphasized the critical need for wiser use of water resources to ensure sustainable management, a core target of SDG 6. Farmers were urged to acquire skills in several key areas to enhance water use efficiency:

• Using modern agricultural technologies.
• Participatory irrigation management.
• Formation and functioning of water users’ co-operative societies.
• Water rate assessment and collection procedures.
• Understanding and adherence to irrigation laws.

Enhancing Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security (SDG 2 & SDG 12)

Professor B. Y. Bandivaddar addressed the linkage between resource management and agricultural productivity, which is central to achieving SDG 2 (Zero Hunger). He stressed that sustainable production, a key aspect of SDG 12, can be achieved through a holistic approach. Key recommendations included:

• Achieving good yields through a combination of quality seeds, proper soil management, and judicious use of water.
• Cultivating crops suited to local soil and environmental conditions, moving away from an over-reliance on water-intensive crops like paddy and sugarcane to promote sustainable agricultural practices.

Building Partnerships and Economic Resilience (SDG 17 & SDG 8)

The training program strongly advocated for the formation of Water Users’ Co-operative Societies as a vital mechanism for achieving SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) and fostering economic growth (SDG 8). The functions and objectives of these societies were outlined as follows:

1. To facilitate close cooperation between farmers and engineers for proper water distribution under the participatory irrigation system.
2. To handle water rate collection independently, thereby creating awareness and ensuring financial strength for the societies.
3. To ensure all farmers benefit from CADA and Union Government schemes, enhancing the economic viability of farming communities.
4. To equip farmers with knowledge on critical issues such as silt management and the efficient use of soil and water resources.

Practical Training for Sustainable Development Implementation

To reinforce theoretical knowledge with practical application, the training program included site visits to various units on the WALMI campus. These visits provide hands-on experience with technologies and practices that directly support multiple SDGs.

• Demonstration plots
• Micro-irrigation units
• Hydraulic, soil, and water testing laboratories
• A livestock unit
• A vermi-compost unit
• A rainwater harvesting unit

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article primarily addresses issues related to the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation – The core theme of the article is the “wiser use of water resources,” “integrated water resources conservation and management,” and “participatory irrigation systems,” which directly aligns with ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water.
• SDG 2: Zero Hunger – The article connects water management to agricultural productivity. It mentions that “Good yield can be achieved through… judicious use of water” and encourages farmers to cultivate crops suited to local conditions, which relates to achieving food security and promoting sustainable agriculture.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – The call for “efficient use of soil and water” and the promotion of sustainable practices like using vermicompost and rainwater harvesting units align with ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – The article heavily emphasizes collaboration through the formation of “water users’ co-operative societies” and the need for “close cooperation between farmers and engineers,” highlighting the importance of partnerships to achieve sustainable development.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 6.4: By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity.
   • Explanation: The article’s central message, urging farmers to ensure “wiser use of water resources” and learn skills in “using modern agricultural technologies” like “micro-irrigation units,” directly supports the goal of increasing water-use efficiency in the agricultural sector.
2. Target 6.5: By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including through transboundary cooperation as appropriate.
   • Explanation: The promotion of “integrated water resources conservation and management” and the call for farmers to “actively participate in the participatory irrigation systems” through “water users’ co-operative societies” are clear examples of implementing integrated and participatory water management at the local level.
3. Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding and other disasters and that progressively improve land and soil quality.
   • Explanation: The advice for farmers to cultivate “crops suited to local soil and environmental conditions rather than relying solely on paddy and sugarcane,” coupled with training on “silt management,” “soil and water testing,” and visiting “vermi compost” units, points directly to implementing sustainable and resilient agricultural practices.
4. Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.
   • Explanation: The article repeatedly emphasizes the formation and functioning of “water users’ co-operative societies” and the need for “close cooperation between farmers and engineers.” This model of civil society partnership is presented as essential for proper water distribution and management.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions or implies several indicators that can measure progress:

• For Target 6.4 (Water-use efficiency):
  • Indicator: Adoption rate of modern agricultural and micro-irrigation technologies. The article mentions that trainees will visit “micro-irrigation units” and learn about “modern agricultural technologies,” implying that the uptake of these systems is a measure of success.
• For Target 6.5 (Integrated water management):
  • Indicator: Number and functional status of “water users’ co-operative societies.” The article explicitly calls for their formation and active participation, making their existence and effectiveness a key performance indicator.
  • Indicator: Level of participation in “participatory irrigation systems.” The degree to which farmers and engineers cooperate is highlighted as crucial for “proper water distribution.”
• For Target 2.4 (Sustainable agriculture):
  • Indicator: Diversification of crops away from water-intensive ones like paddy and sugarcane to those “suited to local soil and environmental conditions.”
  • Indicator: Implementation of soil health practices, such as the use of “vermi compost” and “silt management,” which are mentioned as part of the farmers’ training.
• For Target 17.17 (Partnerships):
  • Indicator: Financial strength and independence of water users’ co-operative societies. The article suggests that by handling “water rate collection” and using government schemes, these societies can “become financially stronger,” which is a measurable outcome of a successful partnership.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: thehindu.com