Irrigation

Irrigation systems are artificial applying water to plants in areas where rainfall is not properly adequate to maintain crops. The water system’s ancient uses date back to around 6000 B.C.E. in Egypt and Mesopotamia. Conventional techniques for agricultural irrigation included digging canals, utilizing a pulley framework and utilizing water wheels to supply water from streams to the crops. In modern times, there are two different types of irrigation systems for agriculture in India – Traditional method and Modern method.

1. Traditional Method: The traditional methods of irrigation are very prominent among the small farmers. These methods are inexpensive and require very less labour.

2. Modern Method: These are more efficient irrigation systems that were invented in recent decades. These help us use water economically without wastage for agriculture.

Traditional methods of irrigation

• • Basin irrigation: It is a type of surface irrigation method in which the field is divided into a number of checks or basins through construction of bunds surrounding the flat areas. The process involves a uniform layer of water flowing over the soil. It is widely used for crops that require sufficient moisture with adequate drainage.
  • Strip irrigation: In this method, fields are divided into strips of different sizes which are separated by low leaves called borders. The strips are constructed according to the slope of the plot. It is an easy irrigation method and requires less labour.
  • Furrow irrigation: Furrows are small, parallel channels, made to carry water to irrigate the crop. The crop is usually grown on the ridges between the furrows. Water is pumped or brought to the fields and is allowed to flow by gravity to transport water.

Modern methods of irrigation

• • Drip irrigation: Drip Irrigation involves placing tubing with emitters on the ground alongside the crop. The emitters slowly drip water into the soil at the root zone. Because moisture levels are kept at an optimal range, crop productivity and quality improve.
  • Sprinkler irrigation: Sprinkler irrigation system allows application of water under high pressure with the help of a pump. It releases water similar to rainfall. Water is distributed through a system of pipes, sprayed into air and irrigates in most of the soil type due to wide range of discharge capacity. It increases water-use capacity by upto 50 percent and there is a possibility of spray of nutrients and fertilisers along with water.

Significance

1. Agricultural Productivity: Efficient irrigation systems enhance crop yields and ensure stable agricultural output, crucial for food security and economic stability.

2. Water Use Efficiency: Modern irrigation techniques like drip and sprinkler systems, promoted under schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), improve water use efficiency, vital in water-scarce regions

3. Expansion of Cultivable Land: Irrigation projects expand the area under cultivation by providing assured water supply to previously rain-fed areas, thus boosting overall agricultural productivity

4. Employment Generation: Development and maintenance of irrigation infrastructure create jobs, contributing to rural employment and economic growth.

5. Support to High-Value Crops: Irrigation supports the cultivation of high-value crops like fruits, vegetables, and flowers, enhancing farmers’ income and contributing to the horticulture sector’s growth.

Challenges

1. Infrastructure Gaps: Despite numerous schemes, many regions still lack adequate irrigation infrastructure, leading to uneven agricultural development.

2. Maintenance Issues: Poor maintenance of existing irrigation systems leads to inefficiencies and water wastage.

3. Water Scarcity: Over-extraction of groundwater and inefficient water management practices exacerbate water scarcity, impacting irrigation potential.

4. Financial Constraints: High initial costs of modern irrigation systems and limited access to credit hinder widespread adoption among small and marginal farmers.

5. Climate Change: Variability in rainfall patterns due to climate change affects water availability, posing a significant risk to irrigation-dependent agriculture.

6. Policy Implementation: Effective implementation of irrigation policies and projects is often hampered by bureaucratic delays and coordination issues among various government agencies.