Research Article

Assessing Groundwater Conservation Barriers for Farmers Through Quantitative Ranking Methods

Abstract

Despite having large freshwater reserves, India is experiencing a serious and worsening water problem, especially in the agricultural sector, which uses around 85% of the country’s water resources. This study methodically looks into the obstacles that farmers face while implementing groundwater conservation techniques. Data were collected from 180 farmers in water-intensive areas utilizing a mixed-methods approach that included key informant interviews, focus groups, and structured surveys. The respondents’ perceptions of the restrictions were ranked using two analytical tools: the Rank-Based Quotient (RBQ) approach and Garrett’s Ranking Technique. The study identified important issues in five areas: economic limits, ecological and resource constraints, technical accessibility, governance support, and demographic and livelihood-related considerations. Intergenerational knowledge gaps (RBQ 93.19), reliance on conventional irrigation techniques (Garrett score 71.50), market volatility (Garrett score 68.50), unpredictable weather patterns, and a lack of regulatory incentives (RBQ 91.60) were among the main obstacles. In order to assist sustainable groundwater management in Indian agriculture, the results highlight the critical need for comprehensive policy reforms, improved agricultural extension services, and farmer-centric support networks.