Policy interfacing and irrigation development in Tamil Nadu

Irrigation is the lifeblood of agriculture, rural livelihood and food security in Tamil Nadu. Centuries-old tanks, and reservoirs and canals were the dominant features in irrigation till the mid-twentieth century. Irrigation landscape, however, began changing with private investments in minor irrigation, particularly in groundwater. Today, groundwater irrigation is becoming the cornerstone of providing water for agriculture, resulting in an overall exploitation rate of over 85% of the total available resources. Declining rates of tank and canal irrigation and overexploitation of groundwater are so critical that the state needs new policy interventions to tackle a pending water crisis. This policy brief recommends some development and investment options for the irrigated sector in Tamil Nadu.