Groundwater dominates India's minor Irrigation landscape with 94.8% share: Report

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agricultural landscape. Groundwater schemes, which encompass dug wells, shallow tube wells, medium tube wells, and deep tube wells, are most prominent in states like Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana. Meanwhile, Surface Water schemes, including surface flow and surface lift schemes, find prominence in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Odisha, and Jharkhand.

Dug wells stand as the most prevalent type of MI scheme, followed by shallow tube wells, medium tube wells, and deep tube wells. Maharashtra takes the lead in dug wells, surface flow, and surface lift schemes, showcasing its agricultural prowess. The census also highlights that an impressive 97.0% of all MI schemes are currently operational, underscoring their indispensable role in supporting agricultural activities.

Shallow tube wells and medium tube wells are the predominant 'in use' schemes. Private ownership takes the spotlight, with a significant 96.6% of MI schemes falling under this category. Groundwater schemes are predominantly owned by private entities, with a share of 98.3%, while Surface Water schemes are at 64.2%.

In a notable development, the census collected data on gender-based ownership for the first time, revealing that 18.1% of individually owned schemes are under female ownership, marking a positive shift toward gender-inclusive agriculture. When it comes to financing, approximately 60.2% of schemes rely on a single source of finance, with the majority, 79.5%, being funded through individual farmers' savings. Meanwhile, 39.8% of schemes draw funding from multiple sources.