INTER BASIN WATER TRANSFER FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION SYSTEMS – A CASE STUDY OF PATTISEEMA LIFT IRRIGATION SCHEME OF ANDHRA PRADESH, INDIA

Inter basin water transfer-Pattiseema Lift Irrigation Scheme

Abstract

Sustainability of agricultural production system in Krishna delta, which is at lower Krishna river basin (94% of utilizable flow), has been under threat post 2000 owing to basin closure, with available surface water fully utilized for human consumption. The Government of Andhra Pradesh contemplated for interlinking of Godavari river which has surplus water to the Krishna river by transferring 2265 Mm³ to alleviate the water scarcity and to stabilize command area under Krishna delta (0.514 M.ha) through Pattiseema Lift Irrigation Scheme (PLIS). The impact of PLIS on sustainability of agricultural production systems in Krishna delta has been studied.  The quantity of water transferred through PLIS were 1591.86, 2996.09, 274.65, 1217.55 and 1177.00 Mm³ that forms 43.92, 67.41, 63.33, 23.90 and 22.77% of the total water utilization through canal releases during the years 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20 and 2020-21, respectively with a net production advantage of 59.12, 258.08, 251.02, 93.36 and 93.36 million USD, respectively for the above crop years. Energy intensity per hectare of irrigated area was estimated at 459.81 kWh/ha and energy productivity and water productivity on production advantage was estimated as 3.63 kg/kwh and 345.52 kg/ha- Mm³. Benefit cost ratio of the project was estimated as 1.90.