ANNOUNCEMENTS
The study aims to understand the “Energy-Water-Agriculture Nexus” and its impact on the livelihood of the farmers in rural parts of South Gujarat. Gujarat is an energy surplus state where agricultural feeder is separated from the domestic feeder for effective management of energy for irrigation, and livelihood in the region primarily depends on agriculture and dairy farming. The state has 2% of country’s water with 5% of population characterised as unsuitable for groundwater extraction because of rocky terrain and coastal region. The erratic and uneven rainfall adds to the water woes of the state. This condition is highlighted in the water-agricultural nexus system. The genesis of energy and agricultural policies responsible for current state is found in India’s green revolution. The necessity of achieving food self-sufficiency at that time has opened pandoras box, effects of which is felt sharply in today’s era of rapid resource depletion and wastages. Today’s agricultural system with heavy electricity and fertiliser subsidy, private tube wells, unsustainable practices, overexploitation of water resources, changing dietary pattern involving water intensive crops and strong political lobby complicates the reform process. Recent policies without due consideration to inherent interlinkages among the sectors have given rise to negative externalities affecting the sustainability of the system. The study aims to fulfil the dual objective of understanding the farmers choice and compulsion in accessing and utilising energy and water for agricultural production and assessing the Dhundi model of solar cooperative in understanding the nexus better. The IAD framework helps in assessing the role of institutions affecting the outcome. The trade-off’s arising because of interlinkages in energy-water is identified and its impact on agricultural system, thus affecting the livelihood of the farmers is brought forth.
Keywords: Energy-Water-Agriculture Nexus; Gujarat; Green revolution; IAD framework.
