the remaining areas, farming is largely
dependent on rainfall. See chapter 1 about India
relief features.

While intensive use of natural resources like
land and water has led to increased production and yields, the use of the natural
resources has not always been judicious. Experience shows fertility of land is
declining due to overuse-excessive use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides. The
situation of water is equally alarming. Like Rampur, mostly irrigation in India is
based on tapping underground water. As a result, underground water tables have
fallen rapidly across the country. Even in regions with bountiful rains and favourable
natural systems of recharge, the water tables have reached dangerously low levels.
As the water tables decline, farmers have to drill deeper tube wells than before.
The use of diesel/ electricity for irrigation rises
accordingly. In order to understand these issues,
further recall what you learnt in chapter 5: Indian
Rivers and Water resources and read chapter 11:
Sustainable Development with equity