Part 4/13:
Growing rice and wheat in such areas necessitates massive water inputs—around 4,500 liters of water per kilogram of produce—leading to unsustainable groundwater depletion. Punjab’s groundwater extraction now exceeds 150% of its annual recharge, causing tanks and aquifers to dry up and raising concerns over chemical pollution. Farmers like Satnam Singh find themselves compelled to dig deeper wells, yet remain unable to sustain their crops without risking environmental damage and economic hardship.