The Centre today said it has not asked state governments, including the drought-hit Maharashtra, to restrict cultivation of water-intensive crops, but is taking steps to promote crops like pulses that require less water in drought-prone areas.

Minister of State for Agriculture Mohanbhai Kundariya replied in the negative to a written question in the Lok Sabha whether the Centre has asked several state governments, including Maharashtra, to impose restriction on cultivation of water-guzzling crops in vulnerable areas in order to overcome the drought situation.

"There is no central or state law under which cultivation of water-intensive and water-guzzling crops can be restricted. However, steps are being taken to promote less water requiring crops like oil seeds, pulses, coarse cereals etc in drought-prone areas," he said.

That apart, he said, cultivation of drought-tolerant cultivars, use of efficient irrigation devices and water conservation practices are being promoted.

"The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has identified rice and sugarcane as major water-guzzling / water-intensive field crops as they require high amount of water for producing unit quantity of output / economic yield," Kundariya said.

Water requirement for cultivation of rice is 1,200 mm while that of wheat is 400-600 mm, jowar 300-500 mm and bajra 300-500 mm.