Talk to some old residents in your region and write a shor... - Economics

Report: Changes in Irrigation and Production Methods over the Last 30 Years

Based on conversations with elderly residents of the area, the following changes have been observed:

1. Changes in Irrigation:

• Past (30 years ago): Farmers were almost entirely dependent on the monsoon. For manual irrigation, they used Persian wheels to draw water from wells, which was a slow and labor-intensive process. Only small patches of land could be irrigated.

• Present: Almost all farms are now irrigated by electric-run tubewells or submersible pumps. This shift has made irrigation faster and more reliable, allowing farmers to cultivate land throughout the year, even during the dry season.

2. Changes in Production Methods:

• Past: Farmers used traditional seeds which required less water but gave low yields. They used cow dung and other natural organic matter as manure. Ploughing was done using bullocks, and harvesting was done manually with sickles.

• Present: There is a widespread use of HYV (High Yielding Variety) seeds, which have significantly increased the output. Farmers now use chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and insecticides to ensure better growth. Manual labor has been replaced by machinery like tractors, threshers, and combine harvesters, making the process much faster.

The transition from traditional to modern farming methods has led to a massive increase in food grain production (Green Revolution). However, the elders also noted that this has led to a decline in soil fertility and a decrease in the groundwater table.