Rural Development
IRRIGATION
- The Back Bone
Overview, Challenges &
Strategy for future
Mukesh Vats
IRRIGATION IS BACKBONE OF
AGRICULTURE
TOPICS COVERED
Importance of the irrigation & brief history
Method of irrigation in practice in India
•
•
•
•
Detailed overview of all types of irrigation
Problems & available solutions
River linking
Sum up of discussions
Agriculture and Irrigation
• Agriculture sustains the life and the
irrigation sustains the agriculture.
• Dependable Irrigation is essential for self
reliance in food production.
• All species of animals depend on plants
for food even carnivores.
• According to old religious texts, the
responsibility of providing irrigation lies
with King.
History of Irrigation in India
• BRIHASPATI
samhita
described
construction of water bodies as pious
work.
• Indus valley and all other civilizations were
developed near rivers.
• Cholas constructed grand anicut to
provide irrigation water from river Cauvery
in second century.
Ancient irrigation channel
ANICUTS OF SOUTH INDIA
Contd..
• British rulers centralized the irrigation and
started building canals, dams and weirs as land
revenue from farmers was one of the income
source.
• The command area based irrigation resulted in
prosperity of areas near to canals etc.
• This resulted in division of entire agriculture land
of India into two i.e. rain fed & irrigated.
• Green revolution further widened the gap.
Contd…
• Population pressure and land reforms
resulted in small land holdings .
• Intensive cultivation was one of the
component of green revolution.
• Technology in form of tube well or pump
irrigation resulted in de centralization of
the sector as the farmers were master of
the water unlike the canals.
Contd..
• Tube well irrigation resulted in new set of
problems.
• We have to find ways to increase food
production, conserve environment and
bring prosperity to rural masses.
• Irrigation will continue to be priority of
every government till we depend on food
for living.
Ultimate irrigation potential
• Major and medium irrigation potential58.5 mha
• Ground water irrigation potential64.05 mha
• Surface water irrigation potential17.38 mha
Total 139.9 mha
TRADITIONAL IRRIGATION
METHODS
TRADITIONAL IRRIGATION
METHODS
RAINFALL MAP OF INDIA
CANAL IRRIGATION
• The present canal system was developed
in India by British rulers.
• The canals are man made channels which
carry the water diverted from rivers.
• The water stored in dams, barrage etc is
diverted with the help of mechanical gates.
• This water is distributed with minors &
distributaries.
CANALS
BHAKRA DAM ON RIVER SATLUJ
VIEW OF DIVERSION
STRUCTURE
ADVANTAGES
• Quality of the canal water is best for
irrigation and drinking.
• This
water
has
TRANSFORMED
agriculture economy of some parts of
India.
• Indira Gandhi canal in Rajasthan is life line
of millions.
• Low operation cost is a distinct advantage.
ADVANTAGES (contd..)
• The diversion structures can also be used
for generating electricity.
• They produce clean pollution free power.
• The canals were also used for navigation
& transportation of wood during British
rule.
• Canals are also providing drinking water to
ever increasing urban population.
LINED CANAL AND
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
FALLS FOR MICRO
HYDROELECTRIC PLANTS
Problems with Canal Irrigation
• The construction of diversion structures
and canals have wide spread ecological &
social concerns.
• Huge investment is required initially.
• The construction of big dams in
earthquake prone Himalayan zone puts a
question mark on safety.
• Large area is required for rehabilitation.
Contd…
• Excessive rain in catchments of feeding
river causes danger for dams and people
in down stream.
• The unlined canals built during British
period have heavy water loss due to
seepage ,which results in water logging.
• These structures are also targets of
enemies and terrorists to cause mass
damage.
Contd…
• Canals reduce the quantity of water from
rivers.
• It results in reduced flow of water in rivers.
• Final result is siltation of river beds and
increased pollution in rivers as the effluent
is not diluted.
• This makes rivers prone to quick floods.
Problems with Major irrigation projects
WATER LOGGING IS COMMON
NEAR CANALS
SILTATION OF RIVER BEDS
CAUSES FLASH FLOODS
REDUCED DISCHARGE IN
RIVERS INCREASES POLLUTION
Strategy for future
• Despite several disadvantages there is no
substitute of canal irrigation in some parts of
India where ground water is either salty or not
available.
• Proper maintenance of diversion structures and
canal will keep economic life intact.
• Lining of canals will stop seepage of water.
• Water transport and sweet water fisheries can
generate extra income for govt.
Contd..
• Falls available at various places can be
used
for
establishment
of
micro
hydroelectric projects.
• We have to take care of catchments of
feeding rivers to reduce siltation of
reservoirs.
• Adequate funds may be provided for maint
and repair of existing structures.
Tube well Irrigation
• The tube well irrigation means extracting ground
water by mechanical means.
• Earlier ground water was extracted through
traditional ways like Dug well, Rahats & Dhenkli
etc.
• Tube well irrigation brought revolution in state
controlled irrigation sector.
• Growth is not confined to rural areas.
• Entire south Asia is using this method in form or
other.
• Tube irrigation has been developed for all types
of soils and strata.
CONTD…
• Even hard rock areas have deep tube
wells.
• GOI data shows that 60% of irrigated
areas are covered by tube wells, the
remote sensing data shows 75%
coverage.
• India has more than 20 million pumps.
Benefits to the Farmer
• Low investment and gestation period.
• Self control and ownership.
• High irrigation efficiency and draught
proofing for at least 1-2 monsoon seasons.
• Easy availability of technology and
finance.
• Priority of all successive governments.
Tube well irrigation
Nearness to fields reduces water
loss
Benefits to Nation
• Pump irrigation has created more irrigated areas
in 25-30 years as compared to that created by
government in 150 years with huge investment
and recurring expenditure.
• Owners and neighborhood farmers are also
benefited due to sale of water.
• Large manufacturing and service sector
economy has developed due to this sector.
Contd…
• The boom has resulted in massive reduction in
rural poverty.
• Resulted in large irrigated areas rather than
command areas.
• It directly resulted in increased food production
and few starvation deaths.
• Draught proofing of huge areas for 1-2 seasons.
• Activation of sub soil water reservoirs lying
unused.
Contd…
• Direct storage of rain water in sub surface
reservoirs to the extent of 300cubic km
subject to normal monsoon.
• Less water consumption per ha.
• Little or nil public investment and
involvement of bureaucracy.
• Reduction in water logging in canal fed
areas without any public investment.
• Social and political stability.
Sustaining the boom
• Water is nature’s gift and it should not be
wasted.
• Development of the sector has to be sustained.
• If the sector grows without control and greed is
not substituted by need, the dooms day is near.
• The ground water table is reaching dangerous
levels.
• The cost of pumping is increasing due to
increased depth.
Contd…
• Pump sets are becoming redundant due to
more horse power needed.
• Increasing cost of fuel is also adding to the
problem.
• Not only farmers the water supply
authorities and industries are also
extracting ground water.
• Increasing depth of tube wells is causing
fluoride and arsenic poisoning.
Contd………
• Pollutants are entering in form of
pesticides and chemical fertilizers.
• The sector is largely uncontrolled and
control is not effective.
• Major challenges are :- Resource
depletion salination, pollution, over use,
water logging and increasing fuel costs.
Over-irrigation causes salination of
ground water
Increased ground water use
Excess ground water extraction
causes problems
Reverse the trend and sustain
• Low cost and indigenous methods are
there to reverse the trends.
• We have to look back ,what our
forefathers were doing.
• Modern technology should be used to
reduce the water consumption.
• RAIN IS THE ONLY SOURCE OF
WATER - CONSERVING THIS WATER IS
OUR RESPONSIBILITY.
WAYS TO SUSTAIN GROUND
WATER BOOM
• RAIN WATER HARVESTING & GROUND
WATER RECHARGE.
• Traditional water harvesting structures like
Baolis, Kunds, Taals, water temples,
Johads etc. were built by various kings and
local people.
• Phad system of irrigation is still prevalent in
some parts of Maharastra.
• Low cost technology is available for water
harvesting and recharge.
• Even if 5% water is recharged ,it will make a big
addition to the ground water resources.
Traditional
Baolis
TRADITIONAL JOHADS
STEP WELLS
CONTD…
• INCREASING IRRIGATION EFFICIENCY
• Cutting the water use is other way to deal with
the problem.
• Micro irrigation is capital intensive way to solve
the problem.
• Agronomic practices can also contribute in
reducing water requirement.
• Crop patters may be modified depending on
monsoon pattern etc.
Contd..
• ORGANIC FARMING
• It can deal with problem of contamination and
pollution of ground water.
• Details will be explained in other module.
• WATERSHED APPROACH
• It is a holistic approach to conserve all
components of nature i.e. rain, water, soil,
forests etc.
• Community participation is most important
component.
CONTD…
• Various studies have shown that the
implementation resulted in rise in water
table,
increased
productivity
and
conservation of soil, forests etc.
• Govt. funds are also available for the
purpose of implementation .
• Details will be covered in other module.
A TYPICAL WATERSHED
Shramadan and people’s
involvement in implementation
NATURAL FLOW IN A
WATERSHED
COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION
WATER MANAGEMENT IS PART OF
WATERSHED DEVELOPMENT
Contd..
• ALTERNATIVE ENERGY FOR PUMPING
• Use of fossil fuels or electrical energy are
increasing cost of pumping.
• Use of wind pumps in certain parts of India can
save fuel cost, diesel pumps can be used as
stand by.
• Research on low cost solar pumps is going on to
reduce cast of pumping.
• Paddle pumps or animal driven pumps are also
being developed.
Wind pumps
Solar pumps
Technological upgradation by using animal
power for pumping is required
Contd..
• Considering the above alternatives the
rain water harvesting and ground water
recharge are best alternatives.
• This will also save expenditure on
increasing depth of tube wells and fuel
cost.
• There is need for educating farmers and
general public about over use of ground
water.
Roof top rain water harvesting
Simple ways to recharge ground
water
TANK IRRIGATION
• Community owned and maintained tanks
were very popular in India.
• During British rule and even after
independence,
the
community
participation declined & irrigation was
centralized.
• The tanks are not only used for irrigation
purpose but the ground water is also
recharged by tanks.
IRRIGATION TANKS
Contd..
• There is urgent need for rehabilitation of
tanks
specially in South India with
community participation.
• This will also reduce dependence on tube
wells.
• The community participation will ensure
that the tanks are not misused or polluted.
Micro Irrigation
• Micro irrigation methods involve high initial
cost ,however they save precious water
and pay back in form of saved water,
power and increased productivity.
• The use of plastic has reduced the cost of
micro irrigation.
• Two popular methods are Drip and
Sprinkler irrigation.
Micro irrigation methods
Drip Irrigation
• Main aim is to supply water directly to the root
system.
• The system consists of net work of pipes
designed to reach at root system of plants.
• The drip system is always farm specific ,which is
designed after considering cropping pattern, soil
type, water quality and climate of area.
• The cost components include cost of pipes,
pumps, overhead tanks etc.
CONTD..
• It saves water, labour and fertilizer costs.
• It also prevents water logging in fields.
• This system is very useful for vegetable
and fruit crops.
• The various state governments are
offering subsidy for establishment of drip
units.
• The popularity of drip irrigation will result in
decrease in cost.
Drip irrigation plan
Demonstration of drip irrigation
Drip without use of power
Sprinkler Irrigation
• The sprinklers create a situation of artificial
rains.
• Net work of sprinkler is connected through
pipes and water is supplied under
pressure.
• Irrigation efficiency is much higher as
compared to flood irrigation.
• This system is suitable for all types of
crops unlike drip irrigation.
CONTD…
• Portable sprinklers have been developed
with flexible pipes to reduce the costs.
• Micro irrigation is getting popular day by
day.
• It is highly beneficial for hi-tech agriculture.
• The micro irrigation systems increase the
yield of crops by 30-70%.
• The micro irrigation can change the entire
irrigation sector if popularized .
Sprinkler irrigation scheme
Sprinkler components
Sprinkler irrigation
Lift Irrigation
• Lift irrigation units are popular in the areas
where the water streams are at low level
and the farms are at high level.
• The units are generally state owned and
user charges are collected from farmers.
• Some farmers having huge land holdings
have established lift irrigation units.
• It involves construction of a sump well for
collecting water from natural streams.
CONTD..
• The water is pumped to higher elevation
,where it is stored in pucca tanks for
further distribution.
• High initial cost is making it unpopular.
• However it can bring lot of agriculture land
in hilly areas to productive use.
• Wind pumps and micro hydro electric units
can enhance the viability of investment.
Lift irrigation
Dug wells
• The dug wells are oldest form of ground water
extraction structures.
• Animal and muscle power were used by our
forefathers to extract water from wells.
• The Rahat /Persian wheel is environment
friendly method to get water from wells.
• Now a days pump sets are used for getting
water from wells.
• There is need to preserve and repair existing
wells to showcase the old technology.
Dug wells
RIVER LINKING –A LONG TERM
SOLUTION... ???
• There is large variation in temperature,
rainfall and soil types etc.
• Every year there are floods in part of
country and fraught in other part.
• Several groups of scientists, farmers and
agriculture economists have advocated
linking of the rivers .
• India has several agro climatic zones.
Contd…
• The advocates of river linking project
about 10% growth rate in GDP due to high
growth in agriculture sector.
• The estimated cost of river linking will be
Rs.6,00,000 crores at price level of 2003.
• The size of project is nowhere near to the
any of the project executed in INDIA.
Issues before us
• Constitutional issues like sharing of water,
between the states, transfer of water, from
one
basin
other,
role
of
state
governments.
• Financial issues like sources of huge
funds required for implementation of
project. share of states and central
government.
Contd…
• Economic aspects like evaluation of such
a complex project and the non monetary
aspects .
• Environmental issues like displacement of
crores of people, loss of forests and bio
diversity, safety of dams and natural
disasters.
• This issue is still in thinking process and
we may wait till some concrete decision
are made.
Sum up
• Instead of investing more on new canals
the maintenance and proper management
of existing system is needed.
• People’s involvement in management and
distribution of water may be first priority of
policy makers.
• Management of ground water resources
should be on top priority to save water and
power.
CONTD…
• Rain fed areas may be brought under
irrigation by possible methods and
changing agronomic practices.
• The research and development for
reducing cost of micro irrigation and
pumping must be on our priority list.
• We must remember that the agriculture
sustains life and irrigation sustains
agriculture.
THANK
YOU