Water Scarcity is undoubtedly worsening. Supply-side solutions alone will not work; efficient use of water is the need of the hour, especially through investment in water saving technologies. Both drip and sprinkler technologies are not only water saving but also crop yield raising. Their adoption by Indian farmers is the key to another Green Revolution that would be truly resource conserving and environment friendly. This book is addressed to the study of the economics of these water saving methods of irrigated agriculture. The book, comprising seven chapters, is based on the author’s recent investigations. The imperative of achieving economy in water use is spelt out in Chapter 1 which also gives an overview of main research results. The impact of drip irrigation on various parameters of farm economy is assessed in Chapter 2. The spatio-temporal spread of drip and sprinkler irrigation is delineated in Chapter 3. While the role of prices in farmers’ adoption of new technologies and practices is underlined in Chapter 4, the available empirical evidence on economic viability of drip irrigation is critically sifted in Chapter 5. In Chapter 6 water saving methods for paddy are briefly reviewed from both private and social angles. The concluding chapter 7 provides a summary view and policy implications. It is argued that the policy of subsidising farm inputs to the extent of making them free or nearly free is not conducive to the spread of efficient technologies and practices. On the other hand, the case for promotional subsidy support for such resource conserving technologies is strong.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR B.D. Dhawan
Dr. B.D. Dhawan (b. 1926), has been an officer of the Punjab Civil Service and retired from that in 1984 as Deputy Secretary to Government of Pubjab, Chanigarh (India). Before joining the service of the State Government, he had ecquired the degree of Master of Arts in Economics. He has a vast experience of various civil, revenue, executive and magisterial posts in different districts of undivied State of Punjab and also at the headquarter of the State Government. Despite such onerous administrative responsibilities, Dr. Dhawan's deep-seated lure to uniavel the mysteries of the Absolute-being induced him to the formal study of Sanskirt language which is a store house of metaphysical knowledge, Starting, abinitio, with the sutyd of this rich language, he passed M.A. in Sanskrit from the Pubjab University, Chandigarh in 1977 and acquired the degree of 'Doctor of Philosophy" in Vedic literature from the same of Alma Master in 1981. After attaining these high academic qualifications. Dr Dhawan did not rest on his oars. the present literary work on 'Mysticism and Symbolism in Altareya and Taittirlya Aranyakas' is the outcome of his post doctrorte academic pursuits. Besides, he has, so far, written as many as fourteen literary articles on Veic Subjects and Valmiki Ramayana. Seven of these have since been published in leading metaphysical journals emanating from the Internationally knwon Vishveshvaran and Vedic Research Insitute, Hoshiarpur (Punjab, India) and other piaces. In fact, Dr. Dhawan is an ardent follower of Rgvedic verse (Ma-Shramism 8.4.7.) 'that we may never feel tired'. Study of Vedic Philosphy is a life-long ambition with Dr. Dhawan and he is devotedly carrying on his research regarding propagation of knowledge of the single Godhead and realisation of the same in organised to yaur Veda.
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