- Sources of Irrigation:
- Canals (24%): Most important from 1950s-60s, now second. Effective in low-level relief, fertile soils, perennial water. Concentrated in northern plain (UP, Haryana, Punjab).
- Wells (17%): Widely distributed. Popular where groundwater is ample (eastern UP, Bihar).
- Tube wells (46%): Common where water table is deep (Indo-Gangetic valley, coastal deltaic areas).
- Tanks (12%): Irrigation storage system. Suitable in peninsular plateau (Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu).
- Techniques of Irrigation:
- Surface/Flood Irrigation:
- Basin: Most common, for level fields, undirected water flow. Suited for paddy, wheat.
- Furrow: Small parallel channels, water flows down by gravity. Suited for cotton, sugarcane, fruits/vegetables.
- Bay/Border: Hybrid of basin/furrow, fields divided into strips. For large farms, pasture.
- Drip/Trickle/Micro/Localized Irrigation:
- Dripping water at low rates onto soil.
- Water applied close to plants, wetting only root zone.
- More frequent applications, favorable moisture level.
- Suitable for row crops, tree/vine crops, high value crops.
- Adaptable to any farmable slope, most soils.
- Example: Bamboo Irrigation in Meghalaya.
- Sprinkler Irrigation:
- Applies water similar to natural rainfall, sprayed through sprinklers.
- Used when land is uneven, not suitable for surface irrigation.
- Less water wasted, more even distribution than surface.
- Best suited to sandy soils with high infiltration rates.
- Suitable for most row, field, and tree crops.