Dismal monsoon could cut into food exports

Contrary to India’s enviable position of having established itself as a food basket for the world, there is a possibility of a decrease in its food exports, thanks to the paucity of water. Water resources minister Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat stated that to maintain its edge as a food exporter, India needs to revive its reservoirs, lakes and other traditional water bodies. 

This deficiency of water has stemmed from a 38% lower-than normal monsoon since the season started in June this year, as per the Meteorological Department. Rainwater is used to meet the needs of half of the country’s farmlands lacking irrigation. This is bound to particularly affect the production of water-intensive crops like rice, which requires 4,500-5,000 litres of water/kg.

What is particularly worrying is that according to the projections of National Institute for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog last year, India’s water demand is projected to be be twice its supply by 2030.