Agriculture and allied activities provide food security and support the livelihood of a considerable population, directly and indirectly, worldwide. Agriculture is undoubtedly the most basic and crucial sector.

Climate change impacts rainfall and temperatures. Recently, the Economic Survey of India 2024-25 was released. The report indicates that there are a greater number of years with deficient rainfall in India and a greater number of intense short wet spells. Changes in rainfall patterns reduce the crop yield (production of crops in a certain piece of land such as kg per acre). In the states of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Telangana, more than 85% of the cropped area is irrigated, unlike Jharkhand and Assam where less than 20% of the cropped area is irrigated. Yield is less affected by monsoon deviation in the states with high irrigation coverage compared to the states with lesser irrigation coverage. Irrigation is one of the important shields to protect agriculture from climate change.

Keeping aside the climate change challenges, irrigation facility has the strong potential to improve farm productivity. Irrigation influences farm productivity and thus indirectly impacts the overall scenario of food security and farm income.

(Views are personal. Based on the Economic Survey 2024-25.)