1. Why it Matters for Best Outcomes

Water is often the limiting factor in agriculture. Even when sources exist, inefficient use wastes this precious resource and increases costs. Water use efficiency (WUE) means matching crops to water availability, applying water with precision, and minimizing losses through evaporation, seepage, or over-irrigation. Farms with high WUE achieve more yield per drop, conserve resources, and remain resilient in water-scarce conditions.

2. When Efficiency Practices are Favorable

Farms that grow water-suitable crops (millets in dry zones, paddy in wet zones) automatically improve efficiency. Adoption of modern irrigation technologies like drip, sprinkler, rain-guns, and laser leveling minimizes wastage. Scheduling water applications based on soil moisture, crop stage, or even digital sensors maximizes impact. Such farms enjoy lower costs, healthier soils, and higher sustainability.

3. When Efficiency Practices are Unfavorable

Farms that flood-irrigate crops indiscriminately lose both water and nutrients. Growing water-hungry crops (like sugarcane or paddy) in water-scarce areas makes the system unsustainable. Outdated or poorly maintained devices (leaky canals, inefficient pumps) increase waste. Ultimately, low efficiency leads to high costs, water table depletion, soil salinity, and long-term vulnerability.