Increased supply of water through irrigation canals and groundwater exploitation through extensive pumping throughout the year combined with poor, drainage is causing water logging & salinity problems in large parts of the Punjab and Haryana. Both these problems have converted a large fertile area into barren lands, as vegetation is unable to flourish in such soils. It has been shown experimentally that channel losses in water courses are 30-50% rather than 11-20% as assumed previously. Generally on farm water management programme comprises the following three components.

1. Water Course Improvement.
2. Precision Land Levelling.
3. Water Management Extension to farmers.

(A)     Water Course Improvement: It includes

• Redesign and construction of watercourse to eliminate unnecessary twists & turns.

• Installation of concrete division boxes and turnout structures to provide better water control.

• Lining of channels, to reduce water losses. 

(B)     Precision Land Levelling: By obtaining précised land leveling through different agricultural practices, improved irrigation efficiencies can be achieved reducing water losses.

(C)     Water Management Extension to farmers: By providing farmers with latest techniques of irrigation and farm management efficient farm production can be achieved.

Farmer’s participation is an integral part of on farm water management due to following reasons:

• Farmers are expected to contribute their labour, thus reducing the cost significantly.

• In working on their own watercourse, it is expected that farmers would develop a sense of ownership and responsibility and would maintain it well.

• Working with skilled personnel would provide training for the farmers about water losses and means of preventing them.

• Reduction of water losses.
• Slowdown of water table fluctuations.
• Dissemination of knowledge concerning water losses among farmers community.
• Contribution to labour by farmer’s community.
• Establishment of water user associations charged with operation and maintenance of water courses.
• Extension service for farmers describing their rights and duties in water sector.

Problems associated with On-Farm Water Management

• Lack of co-ordination among farmers due to social divisions.
• Non-provision of incentives to farmers.
• Lack of financial support.
• Lack of coordination between government and farmers.
• Lesser power in hands of water user associations.
  
  Source: BHAGIRATH (VOL. XXXXIV).