The correct answer is 18-20%. Explanation & Key Takeaways: • Low Coverage: Maharashtra has a very low irrigation coverage, with only 18% to 20% of its cropped area being irrigated. • National Comparison: This figure is significantly lower than the national average, which is stated to be around 49%. This disparity underscores the state's irrigation crisis. • Rain-Fed Dominance: Consequently, over 80% of farming in the state relies on the unpredictable South-West Monsoon. • Geographical Constraints: The primary reason for this low coverage is the Deccan Plateau's hard basaltic rock, which prevents natural groundwater recharge and makes building irrigation infrastructure difficult and expensive. Related Concepts: • Significance: The irrigation deficit is identified as the primary cause of rural distress and farmer suicides in regions like Vidarbha and Marathwada, making water management a top policy priority. • Water Mismanagement: The problem is compounded by water mismanagement, where 70% of the available irrigation water is used by sugarcane, a water-intensive crop that occupies only 4% of the land. • Regional Inequality: There is also severe regional inequality in irrigation, with Western Maharashtra having extensive canal networks while Vidarbha and Marathwada suffer from "irrigation backlogs."