Socio-Economic and Technological Factors Influencing Water Table Changes in Haryana, India

Abstract

States such as Haryana are adopting various policy and technology-based countermeasures including regulated electricity connections, crop diversification incentives, community-managed water harvesting, and extensive extension education. This study was conducted to assess farmers’ awareness, opinions, and strategies regarding water table changes in Haryana, India. The principal objectives were to gauge knowledge about causes, identify strategies for managing groundwater, and appraise adoption of energy-smart technologies. Data were collected from 80 farmers across four villages in the Bhattu Kalan block of Fatehabad district through structured interviews. Statistical tools including mean, frequency, percentage, and rank order were used for analysis. The results indicated most of the respondents were awareness of both causes and potential mitigation strategies for water table changes among respondents. A majority adopted surface irrigation, highlighted concerns over increasing rice cultivation, and recognized the need for crop diversification. New technologies like mobile solar systems and e-power tillers received strongly positive opinions. Extension agency contact and mass media, particularly mobile and internet platforms, were central in information dissemination. The findings imply an urgent need for integrated, community-led resource management and continuous extension support to enhance sustainability in water use and ensure groundwater conservation.