Depleting Water Tables and Groundwater Productivity Issues in India's Green Revolution States.

This article focuses on the evaluation of groundwater extraction trends and irrigation water productivity for rice and wheat crops in Punjab and Haryana, two agriculturally advanced Indian states facing significant groundwater depletion. Between 2004 and 2017, groundwater levels fell by 7 meters in Punjab and 5 meters in Haryana, with irrigation demands increasing and groundwater overexploitation reaching unsustainable levels. The study finds that while both states exhibit high land productivity for rice and wheat, irrigation water productivity (IWP) and economic water productivity (EWP) remain low, particularly for rice, and vary significantly by region and farm size, with smaller landholders generally using water more efficiently. The authors recommend promoting water conservation technologies, conjunctive use of surface and groundwater, and improved agricultural extension services to enhance water productivity and ensure the long-term sustainability of groundwater resources in these water-stressed regions.