Issue Details

Cotton Cultivation and the Pursuit of Sustainable Agriculture: Synthesizing the Role of Water Governance and their Economic Impacts in the Field of Management

ABSTRACT

Cotton cultivation, a cornerstone of the global textile economy, remains one of the most water-intensive agricultural practices, posing significant challenges to sustainability, particularly in water-stressed regions like India (Chapagain et al., 2006; FAO, 2017). This study critically examines the intersection of cotton cultivation, sustainable agricultural practices, and water governance, with a focus on the economic implications for agricultural management and policy. With increasing concerns over climate variability and declining water tables, the role of effective water governance has become pivotal in transitioning towards sustainable models of cotton farming (WWF, 2020). The research integrates case studies from key cotton-producing regions, including Maharashtra and Gujarat, where dependence on monsoon-fed irrigation and unregulated groundwater extraction have led to alarming environmental and economic consequences (Narayanamoorthy, 2018). It evaluates how existing legal and institutional frameworks, such as the Groundwater Management Bill and regional irrigation policies, affect cotton productivity, cost-efficiency, and farmer resilience. Furthermore, it draws upon global best practices in water governance—such as Australia’s Water Allocation Plans and Israel’s drip irrigation systems—to propose adaptive and replicable models suited to the Indian context (Grafton et al., 2016; Postel, 2001). Through a multidisciplinary lens, this study underscores the need for harmonizing water management strategies with sustainable agriculture goals to enhance profitability, ecological balance, and long-term viability in cotton cultivation. The paper concludes with a framework that links efficient water use, regulatory reforms, and inclusive stakeholder participation as essential pillars for achieving the broader vision of agricultural sustainability and economic resilience in the management domain (Pretty et al., 2010; Ostrom, 2009). The analysis also highlights the economic disparities that emerge due to unequal access to irrigation infrastructure and policy support, especially among smallholder farmers. In regions where water-intensive cultivation is practiced without adequate regulatory oversight, the economic sustainability of cotton farming is undermined by escalating input costs, debt burdens, and fluctuating yields (Deshpande & Arora, 2010). These conditions are further exacerbated by climate-induced stressors, including erratic rainfall patterns and depleting aquifers, which intensify the vulnerability of agrarian livelihoods (Kaur et al., 2019). From a management perspective, the study underscores the need for integrated water resource management (IWRM) approaches that align environmental stewardship with farm-level decision-making. Policies must incentivize water-efficient technologies such as drip irrigation and crop rotation, while also ensuring institutional coordination among state irrigation departments, agricultural cooperatives, and water user associations (Shah, 2009). Moreover, adopting a systems-thinking approach in management allows for the identification of bottlenecks in resource flow, value chain inefficiencies, and knowledge dissemination (Sterman, 2000). In light of international benchmarks, the study recommends adopting hybrid models that combine market-based instruments (like water pricing and tradable water rights) with robust community-based governance to foster accountability and local engagement (Meinzen-Dick, 2007). Furthermore, the digitalization of farm-level data—using remote sensing, GIS-based soil moisture mapping, and mobile-enabled irrigation alerts—can enhance decision-making efficiency while reducing ecological footprints (Jain et al., 2020). Ultimately, the study contributes to the growing discourse on sustainable management practices in agriculture by offering a strategic roadmap for policymakers, agribusiness leaders, and farmer cooperatives. It argues that achieving water security and sustainability in cotton cultivation is not only a technical challenge but also a governance imperative—one that demands cross-sectoral integration, stakeholder participation, and long-term vision aligned with national goals such as Doubling Farmers’ Income and Viksit Bharat @2047 (NITI Aayog, 2021).

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