Context
- India becoming the world’s largest rice producer/exporter is intensifying groundwater depletion.
- The problem is acute in Punjab and Haryana, raising long-term water security risks.
Top 3 Producers
- India
- China
- Bangladesh
Top 3 Exporters
- India
- Thailand
- Vietnam
Summary (key takeaways)
- Water intensity
- 1 kg rice needs 3,000–4,000 litres of water
- 20–60% higher than global average
- Groundwater stress
- Punjab and Haryana extract 35–57% more groundwater than natural recharge
- Many blocks are over-exploited or critical
- Policy distortion
- MSP and power subsidies incentivise rice over less water-intensive crops
- Farmers get locked into groundwater dependence
- Emerging response
- Limited incentives such as millets shift subsidy in Haryana
- Short duration limits overall impact
