Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Water quality, agricultural policy and science

  • Articles
  • Published:
Knowledge, Technology & Policy

Abstract

This paper analyses how agricultural policy and science deal with the problem of increasing exploitation of low quality irrigation water and consequent deterioration of water quality in the States of Punjab and Haryana in India. In these cereal growing tracts the policy objective of food security is translated into production technologies, price protection and subsidies. Deterioration of water quality is countered with technocentric solutions. The paper argues that the response of science to the complexities involved in natural resource problems or in the scientific understanding of farmers partial response to technological solutions recommended to improve degraded resources, is due to the existing “administrative rationalism” of natural resource bureaucracies. This administrative rationalism, “the problem-solving discourse which emphasizes the role of the expert rather than the citizen” allows policy and science to maintain their hierarchy in determining policy goals and technological solutions with scant ecological or democratic concerns. Sustainable use of water demands institutional reform in agricultural policy and the agricultural sciences.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abrol, I. P., K.F. Bronson, J.M. Duxbury and Raj K. Gupta (Eds.) (1997) Long-term Soil Fertility Experiments in Rice-Wheat Cropping Systems: Proceedings of a Workshop. (15–18 October, 1996, Surjkund, Haryana). New Delhi: Rice-Wheat Consortium for the Indo-Gangetic Plains.

    Google Scholar 

  • Altieri, Miguel (1987) Agroecology - The Science of Sustainable Agriculture. Westview Press: Boulder, Colorado.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bajwa, M.S. and A.S. Josan (1989) “Effect of alternating sodic and non-sodic irrigations on build up of sodium in soil and crop yield in northern India”, Experimental Agriculture Vol. 25: 199–205.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ballabh, Vishwa (2001) “India’s Water Crisis and Institutional Challenges”, in Invited Papers for the National Seminar on Institutional Change for Greater Agricultural Technology Impact, March 13–14, 2001, National Centre for Agricultural Economics and Policy Research, New Delhi.

    Google Scholar 

  • Biggs, S.D., H. Matsaert, and A. Martin (1997) “Changing Natural Resource Research and Development Capability: Whither Social Capital?” Paper prepared for a Workshop on Participatory Natural Resource Management, Mansfield College, Oxford, 6–7 April 1997.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blaikie, Piers, Katrina Brown, Michael Stocking, Lisa Tang, Peter Dixon and Paul Sillitoe (1997) “Knowledge in Action: Local Knowledge as a Development Resource and Barriers to its Incorporation in Natural Resource Research and Development”, Agricultural Systems, Vol. 55 (2): 217–237.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bromley, D.W. (1985) “Resources and Economic Development: An Institutional Perspective”, Journal of Economic Issues. Vol. 19(3): 779–796.

    Google Scholar 

  • CSSRI (1985) ‘Alkali Soils —Steps for reclamation’, Better Farming in Salt Affected soils Bulletin No.2. CSSRI, Karnal, p. 8..

    Google Scholar 

  • CSSRI (1994), Letter No. 2–4(PA) / 94. dated 18/4/94, Proceedings of the Meeting Regarding Need for Re-application of Soil Amendments on Reclaimed alkali soils of Haryana and Punjab, held at CSSRI, Karnal on 24th March, 1994. From the Director, CSSRI, Karnal, to the Managing Director HLRDC, Chandigarh.

  • Dryzek, John S. (1997) The Politics of the Earth- Environmental Discourses. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Economic and Statistical Organization, Government of Haryana (2000) Statistical Abstract of Haryana, 1998–99. ESO, Government of Haryana: Chandigarh.

    Google Scholar 

  • Edquist, C. and B. Johnson, (1997) ‘Institutions and Organizations in Systems of Innovation’, in C. Edquist, ed. Systems of Innovation, Technologies, Institutions and Organizations, London: Routledge. pp.41–63.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fiorino, Daniel J. (1996) “Environmental policy and the participation gap”, in Lafferty, W. and J. Meadowcroft (ed.) Democracy and the Environment. Cheltenham: Edwward Elgar.: 194–212.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gass, G., S.D. Biggs and A. Kelly (1997) “Stakeholders, Science and Decision-Making for Poverty Focused Rural Mechanisation Research and Development,” World Development, Vol. 25 (1): 115–126.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gupta, S.K., P.S. Minhas, S.K. Sondhi, N.K. Tyagi and J.S.P. Yadav (2000) “Water Resource Management,” in Yadav, J.S.P. and G.B. Singh (Ed.) Natural Resource Management for Agricultural Production in India — International Conference on Managing Natural Resources for Sustainable Agricultural Production in the 21st Century. February 14–18, 2000. New Delhi: Indian Society of Soil Science. Pp. 137–244.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gupta, Raj K., N.T. Singh and M. Sethi (1994) “Ground Water Quality for Irrigation in India,” CSSRI Technical Bulletin No. 19, Karnal: Central Soil Salinity Research Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gupta, Raj K. and I.P. Abrol (2000) “Salinity Build-up and Changes in the Rice-Wheat System of the Indo-Gangetic Plains, Experimental Agriculture, Vol. 36(): 273–284.”

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hall, Andrew, Norman Clark, Sarah Taylor, Rasheed Sulaiman V. (2001) “Institutional learning through technical projects: Horticulture Technology R&D Systems in India”, Agricultural Research and Extension Network- Network Paper No. 111 London: ODI.

    Google Scholar 

  • HAU (1991) ‘A Success story of five fold increase of oilseeds production in Haryana’, Technology Bulletin, Oilseeds section, Department of Plant Breeding. Hissar: CCS Haryana Agricultural University.

    Google Scholar 

  • HLRDC (1997) A status note on the activities of Haryana Land Reclamation and Development corporation limited as on 31.3.97. Chandigarh.: Haryana Land Reclamation Development Corporation Ltd.,

    Google Scholar 

  • ICAR. (1998) Decline in Crop Productivity in Haryana and Punjab: Myth or Reality? New Delhi: Indian Council of Agricultural Research.

    Google Scholar 

  • ICAR. (1999) Social Audit on Reclamation of Salts affected soils in India, Report of the ICAR Sicial Audit committee on reclamation of Salt affected soils, published by CSSRI, Karnal, Yugantar Prakashan Pvt Ltd. New Delhi: p. 69.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jasanoff, Sheila (1990) The Fifth Branch: Science Advisors as Policymakers, Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Joshi, P.K. (1998) ‘Technological Environmental Management in Agriculture’, Indian Journal Of Agriculture Economics, Vol. 53(1): 19–22.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kijne, Jacob W., S.A. Prathapar, M.C.S. Wopereis, K.L. Sahrawat (1998) “How to Manage Salinity in Irrigated Lands: A Selective Review with particular reference to Irrigation in Developing Countries.” SWIM Paper No. 2, International Irrigation Management Institute: Colombo.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mayer, Andre and Jean Mayer (1976) “Agriculture, the Island Empire,” in Holton, G. and W.A. Blanpied (Ed.) Science and Its Public: The Changing Relationship. Boston Studies in the Philosophy of Science, 33. Riedel Publishing Company: Dordrecht / Boston. pp. 83–95.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ministry of Agriculture (1994) Letter No. 11-3/93 -SWC-I dated 19th January 1994, from Joint Commissioner, Soil and Water Conservation Division, to the Managing Director, HLRDC, Chandigarh.

  • Ministry of Agriculture (2000) Agricultural Statistics at a Glance, 2000. Agricultural Statistics Division, Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Department of Agriculture & Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India: New Delhi.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pannell, D.J. (1998) ‘Land care and the adoption of sustainable farming systems’, Proceedings, Profitable and sustainable farming systems — where are the $?” Marcus Oldham College, Geelong, Victoria, 2–3 July 1998.

    Google Scholar 

  • Prashad, R and J.S.P Yadav. (1981) Alkali Soil reclamation- Questions and Answers, Extension Bulletin, CSSRI, Karnal.

    Google Scholar 

  • Raina, Rajeswari S. (1997) “Public Patronage and Political Neutrality in Agricultural Research: Lessons from British experience,” the Economic and Political Weekly, Vol.32 (39): 2473–2485.

    Google Scholar 

  • Raina, Rajeswari (2000) “Water: An Agenda for Change”, World Affairs, Vol.4 (4): 72–85.

    Google Scholar 

  • Raina, Rajeswari S. and Sunita Sangar (1999) «Ecological Economics for Evaluation of Agricultural Research: The Case of Soil Science Research in India,» Paper presented at the First Biennial Conference of the Indian Society for Ecological Economics, 20–22 December, 1999. ISEC, Bangalore.

    Google Scholar 

  • Serageldin, Ismail (1996) (mimeo) “Agriculture’s Role in Sustainable Human Development: An Action Agenda for the New Millennium”, World Bank, Environmentally and Socially Sustainable Development. Washington, D.C.: The World Bank.

    Google Scholar 

  • SDOAH (1996) Land Reclamation Files, Divisional Soil Conservation Office, State Department of Agriculture, Haryana: Karnal.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shah, Tushaar (1993) Water Markets and Irrigation Development: Political Economy and Practical Policy. Bombay: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sinha, Suresh K. (2002) “Food Security of India: Time for Change,” in Kumar, S. (ed.) India’s National Security- Annual Review, 2001. New Delhi: Vikas Publishers. pp. 190–224.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tanwar, B.S. (1998) “Extent, Causes and Strategies for Stabilization of Rising and Depleting Groundwater Table in Haryana”, in Gupta, Sharm and Tyagi (Eds.) Salinity Management in Agriculture (Proceedings of the National Conference, December 2–5, 1998) CSSRI: Karnal.pp. 143–147.

    Google Scholar 

  • UNEP (1982) World Soil Policy, UNEP: Nairobi, Kenya.

    Google Scholar 

  • Velayutham, M. and T. Bhattacharya (2000) “Soil Resource Management”, in in Yadav, J.S.P. and G.B. Singh (Ed.) Natural Resource Management for Agricultural Production in India — International Conference on Managing Natural Resources for Sustainable Agricultural Production in the 21st Century. February 14–18, 2000. New Delhi: Indian Society of Soil Science. pp. 1–135.

    Google Scholar 

  • Velayutham, M., T. Bhattacharya, K. Ramamurthy and M. Venugopalan (2001) «Natural Resources in Terms of Soil, Water and Environment in India and their Management», in International Conference on Sustainable Life Styles and Sustainable Development- Contributory Papers, (22–23 April, 2001). Bhoovigyan Vikas Foundation: New Delhi.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zilberman, David, Madhu Khanna and Leslie Lipper (1997) “Economics of New Technologies for Sustainable Agriculture”, Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Vol. 41 (1): 63–80.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Technology and Development Studies (NISTADS), the National Institute of Science, New Delhi, India

    Rajeswari Sarala Raina (an economist with)

Authors
  1. Rajeswari Sarala Raina
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Sunita Sangar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

With an inter-disciplinary training in the agricultural sciences and economics, her publications address the history of and institutional reform in agricultural science, the evaluation of agricultural research, and the organization and measurement of agricultural research effort. This paper is based on an in-house project on “Ex-post evaluation of soil science technologies,” conducted during 1997–2001, in collaboration with Sunita Sangar (then QHS Fellow, NISTADS) whose Ph.D. thesis on the same topic has been submitted to IIT, Delhi in January 2002. Sunita Sangar has a degree in the life sciences, and is interested in science and technology policy issues related to soil and water resources. The authors are currently working on the NATP sponsored project, on an ecological economics framework for the evaluation of soil science research in India.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Raina, R.S., Sangar, S. Water quality, agricultural policy and science. Know Techn Pol 14, 109–125 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12130-002-1018-9

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12130-002-1018-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation