WATER USE EFFICIENCY MANAGEMENT IN AGRICULTURE & IRRIGATION SECTOR:
RESEARCH AND INNOVATION FOR INCREASING WATER USE EFFICIENCY
SIMPLE SOLUTIONS YIELD BIG RESULTS
DR. D.M. MORE INDIA WATER WEEK 2013 8-12 April, 2013 Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi
Location of Maharashtra in India
Drought prone area of Maharashtra
Wastewater Generation Industrial complexes, urban centers, rural areas, returne flows from irrigated agriculture etc. generate wastewater. Around 80% of the sewage generated flows untreated. Not a single city in the country has a sewage system covering entire popn. Indian cities produce around 40000 mld sewage enough to irrigate around 8 to 9 mha seasonal crops on MIS. Untreated sewage pollutes both surface and ground-water bodies and creates health hazards. This is happening Focus was on drinking water supplies and very little has been done on sewage treatment.
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Appropriate Technology There is conflict between agricultural and non agricultural waters. At places almost 75% of the irrigation storages are consumed for NI purposes and waste water is released downstream untreated. A valuable source of water for irrigation is being wasted. This has given rise to a social rift between rural and urban sectors in addition to environmental ill effects. This needs to be averted. The conventional treatment technologies (STPS) have failed to deliver the desired goods and become cost effective. Innovative and appropriate technologies can contribute and resolve the conflict. These can be cheaper, eco friendly and hence sustainable. 4
Technology Transfer - Rural KVK Jalna , a drought prone district from Maharashtra, India, introduced concept of use of gray water for agriculture (2011-12). Around 12000 mld waste water used for growing pomegranates, guava and fodder crops on drip. Waste water brought to acceptable standard for irrigation by dilution with fresh water, 50:50. Growth of the plants and agri production was attractive on research farm. Farmers associated from adjoining areas were inspired by witnessing the growth of horticultural crops on gray water. Village Kadvanchi decided to replicate this experiment. Technology transfer took place. 5
Grapes on gray water
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Impact on Kadvanchi All 300+ small land holders live in farm houses. One farmer Nana Kshirsagar cultivated pomegranate farm (1 acre – 312 plants) on gray water and made a beginning. Gray water from bathrooms and washing places was collected in plastic lined tank (2000 litre), mixed with fresh water from well and used through drip system. Able to reap good production during 2012-13 with a dose of 5 litre diluted to gray water per plant per day. 31 farm families replicated this experiment and each one was benefitted plantation on an area of 10-15 R per family. Annual earning was around Rs. 1 lac (2000 US$) per family. Productivity of water was varying from Rs. 1200 (24 US$) to 3000 (60 US$) per cubic meter (1000 litre) of gray water as against Rs. 5 (0.1 US$)for sugarcane crop.
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Use of sewage by using Phytorid technology - Urban Nagpur city in Maharashtra generates around 500 mld sewage – flows untreated and pollutes groundwater as well as large water body of Gosikhurd irrigation project. In the vicinity of almost all the urban centers vegetable and fodder crops are being grown rampantly on raw (untreated) sewage resulting into transmission of heavy metals like mercury, lead etc. through food chain in human and animal bodies – a great health hazard. One professor from COA Nagpur is working on an innovative idea of treating the sewage with use of locally available plant species like Alkecia, typha, Kena, Pharagmites spp, banana, bamboo etc. The studies are done in consultation with NEERI. The objective was to provide simple, eco friendly, user friendly and cost effective solution to recycling and reuse of sewage for irrigation. Crops like cotton, maize, vegetable, floriculture are being grown and its impact on both soil and plant health are assessed. 8
Case study of Nagpur sewage
Phytorid technology Though :
Plants used : to absorb pollutants (Pv, Cu, Zn, Fe, Cd, Mn, etc.)
Physical Chemical Biological treatment 1. Alkecia 2. Typha 3. Kena 4. Phragmites spp.
Removal efficiency was around 60-94%.
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Conclusions Preliminary studies of Phytorid technology have shown encouraging results. The removal efficiency in respect of BOD, COD, TSS, E-coli, total nitrogen, heavy metals like lead, copper, zink, iron, manganese , cadmium etc. vary from 60 to 94%. The treated sewage can be planned to grow crops on vast areas in thousands of hectares in the vicinity with no harmful effects on environment. Recycling and reuse of waste water / sewage thus enhances water use efficiency. The conventional sewage treatment plants thought to bring in existence since last several decades are moving ahead at slow pace. There are several hurdles including lack of will (both at political and administrative levels) at its top. The above two experiments (Rural & Urban) seemed to be attractive, viable & eco friendly. The local creative ideas need to be recognized. Need to encourage, support, propagate and widespread for the betterment of all. Do not dare to neglect as it leads to disaster. Let us hope for better.
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Thank you Dr. D.M. More Email: khore.godavari@gmail.com, dnkrmore@yahoo.co.in
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