Dhanuka Group recently celebrated World Water Day 2024 with a resounding call for 'Water for Peace and Prosperity.' Held at Le Meridien Hotel, New Delhi, the event gathered agricultural experts, government officials, and farmers, under one roof to address the pressing issue of water conservation.
Chief Guest Professor Ramesh Chand, Member of NITI Aayog, GOI
The presence of esteemed personalities such as Professor Ramesh Chand, Member of NITI Aayog, Government of India, and Dr P K Singh, Agriculture Commissioner, Government of India, shed light on the challenges facing India's agricultural landscape, particularly the excessive water usage compared to other nations.
“India uses 2-3 times more water for producing 1 ton of crop compared to several developed and developing nations. The area under cultivation has increased but mostly for Rabi crops, when it mostly does not rain. This needs to change and state governments in particular need to promote cultivation according to local environmental and geographical conditions,” said Professor Ramesh Chand.
Dr R G Agarwal, Chairman of Dhanuka Group, talked about the challenges posed by water scarcity, including uneven rainfall patterns, population growth, and water pollution. He outlined Dhanuka Group's initiatives for water conservation, ranging from awareness campaigns to infrastructure projects like check dams in water-stressed regions.
Dr P K Singh highlighted the call for innovative solutions, advocating for collaborative efforts with the Jal Shakti ministry to optimize surface water usage. He emphasized the importance of maximizing irrigation efficiency to expand agricultural land without increasing water consumption.
Dr R C Agrawal from ICAR emphasized the role of education in fostering responsible water usage among farmers and youth. He highlighted ongoing efforts to incorporate water conservation in agriculture, empowering future generations with knowledge and solutions.
Terming the water a solution for the conflicts, Dr Rajvir Sharma, Chairman, Delhi Regional Chapter, IIPA said, “We are surrounded by various types of conflicts, such as food security, livelihood security, intergovernmental conflicts and conflicts between nations or states, for which water can be used as a tool of prevention of conflicts.”
Khet Ka Pani Khet Mein, Aur Gaon Ka Pani Gaon Mein
Dhanuka Group has championed water conservation for more than a decade. The Group ran a signature campaign, "Khet Ka Pani Khet Mein, Aur Gaon Ka Pani Gaon Mein" with Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan as its brand ambassador that aimed to educate communities on responsible water use in agriculture and daily life.
Dhanuka Group has also funded the construction of successful check dams in Rajasthan, capturing rainwater for use by villages in Jugalpura, Devipura (both in district Sikar); Mainpura ki Dhani, and Sankotra (in district Jaipur).
