Blockchain Technology from Irrigated Agriculture in India: Applications, Institutional Readiness and Regulatory Pathways

Abstract

Agricultural irrigation in India is challenged by water scarcity, over-extraction, and fragmented governance, which undermine efficiency and equity in water use. Digital technologies are increasingly being explored to address these challenges, in that blockchain technology has emerged as a promising tool due to its ability to enable decentralized, tamper-proof, and auditable data management. This mini-review examines the potential role of blockchain technology in strengthening irrigation water management and governance in the Indian agricultural context. This literature analyses peer-reviewed articles, policy documents, and other literatures published between 2015 and 2024 across technical, institutional, and policy dimensions to assess how blockchain has been explored and experimentally integrated with smart irrigation systems and governance frameworks. The review also aims to identify the application of blockchain technology in irrigation governance, such as in the use of blockchain for water allocation, monitoring of water use, irrigation governance using smart contracts for the implementation of rules, environmental regulations, and tracing of the water footprint of products within the agri-food value chain. The paper also examines the implementation of blockchain technology in irrigation governance, highlighting the need for interoperability in terms of data models, legal clarity of smart contracts, and the integration of existing irrigation technologies. The paper highlights key research and policy priorities to guide future interdisciplinary efforts toward scalable, technology-enabled, and sustainable irrigation water governance in India and other developing countries.