#52: GS3 | Irrigation and Irrigation Systems
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This blog post is a guest contribution by my brother @Conquerias24 who’s a Post Graduate in Economics from Madras School of Economics.
Irrigation, what?
Controlled application of water via man made systems to meet water requirements of agriculture
Need for irrigation in India
- Food security
- Enhancing productivity
- Imp to end monoculture
- 2/3 of total cropped area on irrigation
- Irregular, seasonal and unreliable monsoon
- Green revolution mandated need for irrigation
Data backed benefit of irrigation
50-100% higher yield from irrigated crops over those who aren't irrigated u/ same geographical conditions
Types of Irrigation Systems
1. Canal Irrigation (CI)
- 24% of total irrigation
- Main: N. Plains (UP, HR, PB)
- Type of canals:
- Perennial (throughout year)
- Inundation (flooding)
Merits
- 'Insurance' from droughts
- Increased farm production
- Less dependent on monsoon
Demerits
- Overflow in monsoon
- Suitable only for plains
2. Well/Tube Well (TW)
- 63% of total irrigation
- Main: UP, HR, PB, BR, GJ
- Methods of extraction:
- Persian Wheel
- Rhet
- Dhingly
Merits
- Cheap & dependable
- Reliable during droughts
- Use where tank & canal are not possible
- Can be set up near the farm
- Increases fertility w/ minerals like Nitrate, Chloride, Sulphate
Demerits
- Limited area
- Depletes Water table
3. Tank Irrigation (TI)
- Main: KA, MP, MH, OD, KL, GJ, Bundelkhand (UP)
- Popular in south 'cz:
- Rocky terrain = tough to dig wells
- Absence of perennial rivers
- No percolation in impermeable rock structure
4. Micro Irrigation (MI)
Definition: Frequent application of water in small quantities on or below soil surface. It can be as drops, miniature sprays or tiny streams to make efficient use of water
Types of MI
a) Drip Irrigation (DI)
- The 'drip' network is established to deliver water
- 80-90% water efficiency
- Image for visual memory
Merits
- 230% yield increase
- 30% higher fertilizer efficiency
- 70% water saved against flood irrigation
- Use of Fertigation
- Lower cost of inputs
Demerits
- High initial cost
- May lead to waterlogging or clogging if poorly installed
b) Sprinkler Irrigation (SI)
- Water piped to central location in field
- Distributed by overhead high pressure sprinklers
- Uneven land + shallow soil friendly
Merits
- Fertigation✔️
- Increase yield
- Offers frost protection
- Reduces soil compaction
- Suitable on all soils (except clay)
Demerits
- High initial cost
- Vulnerable to high wind
💡Per Drop More Crop under PMKSY is a micro irrigation scheme to promote drip and sprinkler irrigation
Other types of irrigation
o Furrow Irrigation
o Surge irrigation
o Ditch Irrigation
o Seepage Irrigation
Problems & Challenges
- Decline in water table
- Inter river water disputes
- Delayed project execution
- Increasing cost of irrigation yoy
- Regional disparities in irrigation development
- Waterlogging
§ Overirrigation
§ Salinity
§ Waterborne diseases
- Adverse impacts of dams
§ Change in hydrology and limnology of river systems
§ Adverse impact on aquatic life
§ Displacement of people
§ Breakdown of social infra
§ Social Unrest
§ Malnutrition
Government Schemes for Irrigation
1. PM Krishi Sinchayee Yojana
2. Micro Irrigation Fund by NABARD in 2019-20
3. Rainfed Area Development Program (2011-12)
4. Mission Kakatiya – Telangana Government
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