Rice exports increase water shortage. In recent years, the country has become a leading producer and exporter of rice in the global market. Over the past decade, exports have doubled, exceeding 20 million tons. However, this growth puts great pressure on water resources, especially in water-scarce regions like Haryana and Punjab.
Farmers are forced to extract groundwater, drilling wells tens of meters deep. For example, ten years ago water was available at 30 feet depth; now drilling to 80–200 feet is required. This raises costs for each farmer and creates difficulties for small farmers.
Government subsidies encourage farmers to grow water-intensive crops, limiting the opportunity to switch to less thirsty plants. Experts say this creates challenges for effective water management.
In some regions, farmers are encouraged to grow crops that need less water. For example, the Haryana government supports growing corn and other low-water crops. However, experts emphasize that these measures need to be long-term and sustainable, ensuring stable income for farmers.
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