ICAR and CGWB Sign MoU for Sustainable Groundwater Management

Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on October 15, 2024. The collaboration aims to address critical issues like groundwater depletion, contamination, and inefficient usage through a combination of scientific research and real-time data analysis.

This strategic partnership will focus on sharing expertise, developing joint project proposals, and raising public awareness about groundwater recharge and its efficient use. Key areas of collaboration include data collection, water management strategies, and policy development. One of the primary goals is to process real-time Digital Water Level Recorder (DWLR) data, enabling better assessment and monitoring of groundwater levels across agricultural landscapes.

ICAR institutes and CGWB stations will work together to improve groundwater use efficiency, particularly for irrigation, while studying the effects of changing groundwater regimes on crop production. This partnership also addresses crucial concerns like groundwater contamination from pesticides and fertilizers, aiming to promote crop diversification and advanced on-farm water management practices.

The MoU is timely, considering the growing challenges posed by climate change, and it seeks to promote sustainable agricultural practices that can help secure India’s groundwater resources for future generations. Through training and capacity building, this collaboration will also empower stakeholders to adopt best practices in groundwater governance, further strengthening national water security efforts. 

With India heavily reliant on groundwater for irrigation, this partnership between ICAR and CGWB has the potential to transform the country's approach to water conservation, ensuring long-term agricultural sustainability.