Rural Development

IRRIGATION- The Back Bone

Overview, Challenges &

Strategy for futureMukesh

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 potential- 58.5 mha

• Ground water irrigation potential- 64.05 mha

• Surface water irrigation potential-

17.38 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.

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