Water stress: Can we bring down water usage in agri sector by 20 pc, asks eminent scientist

As many parts of India faced rising water stress, eminent scientist K Kasturirangan Monday called for promotion of agricultural crops and practices that bring down water usage by the sector by 20 per cent.

A former Rajya Sabha member, he noted that agriculture accounts for 80 per cent of all water usage.

"Can we bring it down to 60 per cent? What kind of agricultural practices can do this?" Kasturirangan said when asked to share his thoughts on the water crisis in parts of the country.

Speaking to PTI, he suggested increasing dryland and short-term crops.

"Why can't usage of bajra (pearl millet) and ragi (finger millet), instead of rice, be thought of in mid-day meal programmes, as these dry farming crops are nutritious for children?" asked Kasturirangan, a former member of the now defunct Planning Commission of India.

He also said there should be some level of parity and policy framework for upstream, mid-stream and down-stream users of water.

Kasturirangan, a former chairman of the .