Managing Waterlogged Sodic Soil through Land Modification in Canal Irrigated Indo-Gangetic Plain of India – A Socio-Economic Evaluation

Advancement of canal irrigation without adequate drainage provision led to twin problems of waterlogging and sodic soil formation in parts of the Indo-Gangetic plain. Continuous seepage of water from the canal increased the water table of the adjoining fields, induced upward movement of salts on the surface soil and the land become salt-affected (sodic soil). After realising benefits for some years, the negative externalities offset the positive impact of the canal irrigation system in terms of crop losses (45 and 62 per cent for rice and wheat) and severely affecting the livelihoods for the farmers adjacent to the canal area. Several efforts were made to restore such degraded land through conventional methods of gypsum-based reclamation, intercept drainage through perforated pipe lines and bio-drainage belt but could not found successful enough to provide positive return to investment. Finally, the land engineering option, the land modification technique was evolved in which the excess seepage water was harvested and used for crop and fish cultivation. Soil and water quality improved and diversified crops were possible to grow on this land. The socioeconomic evaluation in terms of financial feasibility, suitability to land holdings pattern and sustainability of this model was assessed. The model was techno-economically sustainable, however, challenged by few socio-economic constraints, which can be addressed through appropriate policy measures.