IN a push to averting agriculture distress as aridity stares at Punjab following over-exploitation of groundwater, the state government is persuading farmers to go in for the drip irrigation technology. The 80 per cent subsidy offered on the cost of the project to the cotton farmers of the Malwa belt should attract the water-stressed peasants to the scheme. The demonstration plots will educate the farmers on how micro-irrigation works. The crop is irrigated by dripping, or sprinkling water on the surface, or subsurface. It is pumped through a network of pipes emanating from a canal or harvested water. To some extent, this meets the challenge of unreliable monsoons.
Micro-irrigation also holds the potential of providing more efficient use of water as its loss is minimised in comparison to the conventional flooding method of irrigation and also raising crop productivity. The neighbouring Haryana showcases a dramatic turnaround. In the last decade, the centres for vegetables in Karnal set up with technical know-how and assistance from Israel that also rely on drip irrigation have been a success. The cultivators have registered a manifold increase in the vegetable yield and at the same time registered an almost 50 per cent decrease in water use and a significant reduction in fertiliser/pesticide input.
As Punjab goes in for this corrective measure, it would do well to learn from the southern and western states which have experimented with micro-irrigation. Since erratic electricity supply is a problem, the solar-powered lift micro-irrigation project would be a more reliable option. The government’s scheme would be myopic if it did not take into consideration the cost and recurring maintenance of drip irrigation, especially by the small farmer. It must factor in the funds required to take care of wear and tear of components such as filters, pipes etc. Only then would it be beneficial to the farmer in the long term. Coupled with weaning farmers away from water-intensive crops and monitoring of the use of this depleting resource, it is crucial that the government implements its water management policies strictly, lest the fertile land turns barren.
28.05.2019
The Tribune
1. Which among the following phenomenon related to agriculture is not mentioned in the passage ?
a. Non-reliable monsoon
b. Less awareness o farmers about micro-irrigation
c. Sufficient availability of electricity supply
d. Solar Power water facilities
2. Which among the following statements is/are correct in context of the passage ?
1. Haryana has shown a lead in context of the micro irrigation as compare to Punjab.
2. Micro–irrigation methods save the cost of chemicals used in agriculture.
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
a. 1 only
b. 2 only
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2
3. Which among the following statement is not correct about the state of Punjab as per the passage ?
a. Less moisture in the land
b. Efficient use of water
c. Subsidy to cotton farmers
d. State government encouraging people to adopt micro –irrigation
4. Which among the following factors are important to promote micro irrigation as per the passage ?
1. To take care of wear and tear
2. Inclusion of electricity and solar power in the project.
3. Subsidy by the government.
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
a. 1 and 3 only
b. 1 and 2 only
c. 2 and 3 only
d. 1, 2 and 3
5. Which among the following examples has/ have been given in the passage that have been promoted by the micro irrigation ?
1. Vegetables
2. Fruits
3. Flowers
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
a. 1 and 3 only
b. 2 only
c. 2 and 3 only
d. 1 only
Question numbers 6 and 8 have a word each in UPPER CASE followed by four choices. In each question, find out which of the choices is SIMILAR or CLOSEST in meaning to the word in UPPER CASE :
6. WEANING
a. attract
b. taking away
c. liking
d. adore
7. MYOPIC
a. short-sighted
b. far-sighted
c. wise
d. intelligent
8. DEPLETING
a. increasing
b. widening
c. changing
d. decreasing
Question numbers 9 and 10 have a word each in UPPER CASE followed by four choices. In each question, find out which of the choices is OPPOSITE in meaning to the word in UPPER CASE :
9. EMANATING
a. Emerge
b. Pour
c. Recede
d. Proceed
10. STARE
a. Gaze
b. Peer
c. Google
d. Ignore