Can the Water Rate be the only Criteria to Assess the Viability of a Canal Irrigation System? A Case of Eastern Yamuna Canal, India

Canal irrigation system, besides providing irrigation, generate many ecosystem services for command areas, viz. lesser groundwater extraction and carbon emissions, energy savings, groundwater recharge, recreational services for inhabitants, etc. However, existing studies primarily emphasize irrigation services provided by canals while overlooking other ecosystem services. Therefore, this study monetizes key ecosystem services rendered by the Eastern Yamuna Canal (EYC) and collates government expenditures incurred. The result shows that the ecosystem services delivered by EYC are worth Rs 1122.86 million, nearly 48.27% more than working expenses. Further, the result highlights that anchoring only on revenue generated to exchequer with water rates, to compare the performance of any canal will not be sufficient. The present study suggests that if the government facilitates the timely availability of canal water to the farms and collects water charges equal to working expenses from the water users, it could be a much better trade-off for the stakeholders.