RAS question
Micro irrigation includes:
Correct answer: (D) Drip irrigation and sprinkler irrigation.
Micro irrigation includes drip irrigation and sprinkler irrigation.
Explanation
Micro irrigation refers to water-saving irrigation systems such as drip and sprinkler irrigation, not broad field flooding or canal-based watering. These systems save 20-48% water compared with conventional methods. The official PIB release on Micro Irrigation says the Per Drop More Crop scheme focuses on improving farm-level water-use efficiency through micro irrigation, namely drip and sprinkler irrigation systems. It also records that the scheme provides financial assistance for installing micro irrigation; PM Krishi Sinchayee Yojana promoted Per Drop More Crop through subsidy support. Therefore, the defining pair under micro irrigation is drip plus sprinkler irrigation.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Flood irrigation is a conventional, wasteful method in which water spreads across the field, so it does not fit the targeted water-saving category of micro irrigation.
- (B) Rain-fed irrigation depends on rainfall rather than an installed micro-irrigation system, so it is not classified as drip or sprinkler irrigation.
- (C) Canal irrigation is a broad conveyance-based system, not the farm-level micro-irrigation method identified by the PIB as drip and sprinkler systems.
Concept
Agricultural water-use efficiency is a core Indian Economy theme, especially the policy logic of Per Drop More Crop. Irrigation efficiency, subsidy design and sustainable agriculture are standard links between agriculture and public policy in RAS preparation.