This study provides insights on ground water market in minor rain fed tank irrigation milieu and also examines the conjunctive use with focus on water productivity and groundwater extraction in tank irrigation system. The study was taken up in three minor irrigation tanks in Tamil Nadu state. All are rain fed tanks depending entirely on rainfall.

At present, throughout the world, there exists significant concern about the effects of climatic changes, as climate is one of the main determinants of agricultural production and it might cause variability in agricultural production. In India climate change is expected to make an impact in agriculture, resulting in lower yields of crops.

India has history of programmes for conservation of soil and water resources by adopting in situ moisture conservation and increased irrigation through tank and aquifer based water harvesting. This article gives an indication of the potential of the watershed programme.

Food security has become incresingly important globally as well as at domestic front as the global foodgrain production is not keeping pace with increasing population.

The food processing industry is one of the largest industries in India and ranked fifth in terms of production, consumption, export and growth prospects. India, which is the second largest food producers in the world, lags behind when it comes to food processing which is very essential for increasing shelf life of the produce and providing more benefit to the growers.

The rainfed areas play an important role in providing livelihood to a large segment of population. An insight into the rainfed areas of the country presents a grim picture of water scarcity, fragile ecosystems and land degradation due to soil erosion by water and wind.

Indian agriculture witnessed a phenomenal growth during the decades of 1970s and 1980s. The fertilizers contributed almost 60 per cent of the incremental output of foodgrains during this period. The study was undertaken in five states viz.

The worldwide gallop in food prices has refocused attention on food management that had been relegated to the sidelines. India is also experiencing around 12 per cent inflation which is hurting the poor. Prices of food items are skyrocketing despite fall in per capita consumption in rural and urban areas between 1999-2000 and 2004-05.

Importance of food management and maintaining food security the world over has been abundantly recognized since long. India plays a very important role by its contribution in world's food production, accounts for more than 10 percent of total world's foodgrain production.

Knowing, monitoring and even maneuvering food production are important components of food management. Advanced estimation of food production even while the crop is not harvested facilitates these functions. In India agriculture is an important sector providing inputs to industries, food to the people and livelihood to a large section of the population and the poor.