Water budgeting is a systematic process of estimating the water available in a village and comparing it with water required for domestic use, livestock, agriculture and other needs. It helps communities understand their water situation, identify gaps and make informed decisions for sustainable water management.

A village water budget brings together information on available water resources and the amount of water required for different uses. By comparing the two, it shows whether a village has a water surplus or deficit and helps identify where water use needs to be improved or where additional conservation measures are required.

Water availability is estimated by assessing sources such as groundwater, soil moisture and water-storage structures including farm ponds, check dams and gabions. Field measurements, groundwater information, rainfall data and the storage capacity of structures are used to estimate the total water available over a year.

Agricultural water demand is estimated based on factors such as the crops grown, cultivated area, cropping seasons and the water requirements of individual crops. These estimates are then combined across Kharif and Rabi crops to determine the overall water requirement for agriculture.

Water budgeting helps communities understand potential water shortages before they become critical. By regularly assessing water availability and demand, communities can plan crop choices, improve irrigation efficiency, strengthen rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge, and prioritise drinking water and other essential needs during periods of scarcity.

Water availability and demand can change with rainfall, groundwater levels, cropping patterns, population and climate conditions. Regularly updating the water budget helps communities track these changes, anticipate seasonal shortages and adapt their water-management and agricultural plans accordingly. It can also serve as an early-warning tool for drought preparedness and support long-term water security.