ABSTRACT
As shrinking water resources threaten the sustenance of existing levels of agricultural production, there is a need for the rational and efficient use of water. This chapter provides an overview of the status of available water supplies vis-a-vis water demand, causes for depleting groundwater and remedial measures for maintaining long-term agricultural productivity. During the last 40 years, Punjab has witnessed a phenomenal increase in agricultural production; this has been possible due to the large-scale adoption of the rice–wheat cropping system as a consequence of assured irrigation facilities, high yielding varieties, high fertiliser use, etc. The present major concern is the decline of water table, as 90 per cent area of the state is facing the problem of falling water table. Partly diversifying to low water-requiring crops and employing water-saving production technologies at a field or farm scale can reduce water withdrawal.
