Irrigation Infrastructure in India With Special Reference To Northeast

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Irrigation Infrastructure in India with Special Reference to North East
Article in Research Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences · July 2019

DOI: 10.5958/2321-5828.2019.00059.7
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Research Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences. 10(2): April- June, 2019
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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Irrigation Infrastructure in India with Special Reference to North East

Manish Sarkar1*, Dr. Samrat Goswami2
1
Research Scholar, Department of Rural Studies, Tripura University, Suryamaninagar - 799022
2
Assistant Professor, Department of Rural Studies, Tripura University, Suryamaninagar - 799022
*Corresponding Author Email: manish.rmd@tripurauniv.in
ABSTRACT:
Agriculture being the backbone of an economy is the source of livelihood, contributor to national income,
supplier of marketable surplus and significant employment opportunities along with the major source of raw
materials. Among various important determinants of successful agricultural activities, irrigation is an important
one. Inadequacy in irrigation infrastructure is a significant bottleneck to achieve certain level of agricultural
development. Since independence, various Governments have tried to improve the performance of the
agricultural sector through the development of the irrigation infrastructure, which is well-reflected through the
Five-year Plans. However, the irrigation practice in the North Eastern part of the country is to some extent
different due to its topographical dissimilarity with other parts of the country along with climatic condition. In
this backdrop, the present paper tries to capture the irrigation practice, broadly in the North East along with the
practice prevailing in the other states of India. The present study looks into the problem at two different levels, at
the country level and at regional level for North Eastern states. The paper has been divided in five sections and
starts with the introduction. The second section will be a careful review of past studies on this aspect, followed
by the third section which discusses the methodological issues. Section four will describe the data along with
their detailed analysis and the final section concludes the paper along with policy recommendations.
KEYWORDS: Agriculture, Crops area, Irrigated area, Proportional changes,
INTRODUCTION: The Planning Commission has distinguished irrigation

Irrigation is the method of supplying water to plants for schemes in terms of the size of the command area (the
agriculture in a controlled manner as per the plant area that can be covered by a specific water source).
requirement. In other words, it is the act of supplying They are major, medium and minor irrigations (Planning
water to plants when there is insufficient rainfall. Commission, Government of India) and differ from
Irrigation can be done through various methods, such as region to region, depending upon the existence or non-
canal irrigation, tank irrigation, groundwater irrigation existence of perennial sources of water. For example,
and other irrigations by pumping water from rivers, lakes after independence, the northern part of India, having
and wells (Agrihome Expressions). It is the artificial numbers of perennial rivers have experienced the growth
application of water to the soil in periods of drought for of canal irrigation, whereas, the southern part of the
assisting in crops growing (Shirsath, 2009). country relied more on traditional sources of irrigation,
tank irrigation, along with watersheds. The groundwater
irrigation gained momentum during the middle of 1960s,
with the inception of the New Agricultural Technology
where timely, adequate amount of water was the need of
Received on 08.01.2019 Modified on 14.01.2019 the hour. Gradually, groundwater irrigation has become
Accepted on 04.02.2019 ©AandV Publications All right reserved the main source of irrigation in India (Vaidyanathan,
Res. J. Humanities and Social Sciences. 2019; 10(2):
DOI: 1999).
1
The irrigation practice in the North East Region and 1997. Investments in minor irrigation, mostly for
(NER) is to some extent different from that of the other ground water irrigation was emphasised in this period.
parts of the country. NER constitutes eight states of As a result, there was significant increase in gross area
Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, irrigated from ground water. Impact of tanks and other
Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura, with water harveting stuctures were less than reservior system
undulating topography, hilly terrain and climatic and ground water irrigation system. Further, in most of
variation. Heavy but uneven rainfall distribution leads the states small land holders were tend to have more
towards conservation of rainwater. Agriculture, in this irrigation ratio than the large land holders. As a result
region depends upon rain water, minor irrigation and access to ground water for small farmers were difficult
gravitational irrigation. It has been evidenced that due financial constraints for set up of wells, pump sets
creation of irrigational facilities in this region was not up and tubewells. These impacted to the small holdings as
to the mark and were not equally endowed with different most of groud water extraction units were found in large
irrigation facilities. Tradition of canal irrigation water holders’ land. Resulted towards less productivity of
distribution is one of the main sources of irrigation in irrigated agriculture than the potential productivity.
this region, where rapid depletion of ground water for Further, importance was given to surface water irrigation
irrigation has already taken place in other regions of the and accordingly some institutional changes were made.
country. In this regard, there is a potential of improved Emphasis was given to improve surface irrigation
irrigational facilities in this region by adopting water management, water conservation through integrated
harvesting and river-based irrigation system (Sen et al., watershed development and regulation of groundater for
2015) as the NER is endowed with 33 (thirty-three) sustainability. Shah, (2011) has revealed in his study that
percent of the country's total water resources. However, due to the full functioning of the water markets, and over
only 11 (eleven) percent of the total cultivable land of extraction of groundwater thereby, rapid expansion of
this region is irrigated that mainly relies upon ground canal irrigation in India during the last years of the
water. There was inherent advantage of harvesting rain nineteenth century was emphasised.
water for irrigational purpose, as the region is blessed
with high rainfall (Patel, 2013). On the contrary, according to John Kerr (2007), the
watershed management practices have been fairly
REVIEW OF PAST STUDIES: successful and have achieved a lot in terms of water and
Since independence, irrigation has been considered as a soil conservation benefits. There has been a significant
driving force to achieve higher agricultural production. increase in the water availability for irrigation and
Numbers of notable works have been conducted livestock, land productivity, and rehabilitation of
covering various aspects of irrigation. Few of them have degraded and extension of arable land. The cropped area
been mentioned in section two of the present paper. of implementation of the project has increased due to
Chadra and Singh (1987) in their research article titled continuous availability of water in the wells, which in
‘Impact of Irrigation on Crop Production in Ram Ganga turn is expected to continue to increase in the land
Command Area’ evaluated the Command Area holders of the region. There is a change in the cropping
Development Programme and found that the programme pattern in, and, an increase in the yield of the crops
led to a significant increase in the average wheat and rice cultivated in the region after the implementation of the
yields in Kanpur district. The yield increase was up to project. The results from the study are encouraging.
625 kg/ha. Whereas, Moorthi et al. (1973) in their
research study highlighted the benefits of irrigation Irrigation system is a sober concern to farmers who rely
under scientific water management practices. The on them for their crops and livelihoods and to
experimental findings led to the conclusion that it was governments that are investing profoundly in their
not only the quantity of water which was important but development. The most severe problems facing Indian
the timing of irrigation at different stages of plant growth irrigation systems are the increasing costs of new
was also responsible for the crop yields. Bagi (1981), in schemes, the huge backlog of incomplete schemes, and
his study viewed that irrigation primarily reduces the the increasing negligence of existing systems. Large-
uncertainty of crop production and consequently scale canal irrigation systems, in particular, are in poor
increases agricultural productivity in a number of ways condition, they are not properly maintained, operations
and it can increase crop yields even without any are inadequate, water supplies do not reach the end of
increased use of agricultural inputs. The study found that the downstream, and the timing of water supply is
lower risk and uncertainty of crop production are likely unreliable. Since independence, the creation of irrigation
to encourage greater use of inputs and Cultivation of potential has undergone structural changes with
better quality and high value crops may become feasible. emphasis has been given to surface water irrigation to
According to Vaidyanathan (1999), development and groundwater irrigation and again surface water irrigation
extension of irrigation facilities took significant at decentralized level. Furthermore, the irrigation in
importance for agricultural development between 1950 north east has not gain ample importance compared to
2
the other part of the country. In this backdrop, an attempt Irrigation potential has been assessed through
has been made to capture the development of irrigation considering increase in proportion of irrigated area,
infrastructure along with the irrigation facilities extended where, Proportion of Irrigated Area = Total Irrigated
to different crops with special reference to north-east. Area / Total Cropped Area
The broad objective of the study is to examine the Proportion of irrigated area has been calculated for food
irrigation infrastructure that has been created in the crops and non-food crops. Moreover, proportion of
North Eastern region of the country. Specifically, the irrigated area under different sources has also been
two objectives are – analyzed for different time periods. The area of food
• To compare the development of irrigation crops includes whole area under total food grains,
infrastructure in North Eastern states and other statessugarcane, condiments and spices, fruits and vegetables
of India. (including root crops) and other food crops. On the other
• To examine the growth of irrigation facilities hand, area under non- food crops includes whole area
extended to different crops in the north-east and otherunder total oilseeds, cotton, tobacco, fodder crops and
states of India. other non-food crops (Directorate of Economics and
Statistics, Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and
DATA AND METHODS: Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture and Framers
The present study relies upon secondary sources of Welfare, Government of India).
information and has been collected from various sources
such as Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Data on important variables like total cropped area,
Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers irrigated area, and net irrigated area under different
Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture and Framers Welfare, sources for the period 1984-85 to 2012-13 were
Govt. of India, Statistical Handbooks of Northeastern compiled from Directorate of Economics and Statistics,
States of India, Department of Agriculture and Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India, New
Cooperation of India. Further, Descriptive analysis has Delhi.
been performed to examine the created irrigation
infrastructure in the North Eastern region and in other
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS:
parts (states) of the country. The overtime change in the creation of irrigation
infrastructure and the impact thereof has been considered
The impact of irrigation infrastructure has two important as significant change. The present section captures the
components. First, the irrigation potential created by the creation of irrigation infrastructure and its impact over a
government and second the irrigation potential utilized. period of twenty-nine years, in India (except north-
The impact of created irrigation potential can also be eastern region) and in the north eastern part of India. As
depicted through the increase of net irrigated area over has already been mentioned that the creation of irrigation
time. However, the increase in the crop production can potential and utilization can be considered as an
also be considered as an impact of increased irrigation important part of irrigation infrastructure along with its
infrastructure. In this regard, it is assumed that the impact on agricultural production, in this section the
agricultural sector has not experienced any significant paper plans to examine the creation as well as impact
technological and institutional change, such as change in with the help of the time series data. The first table
agricultural technique or change in the land distribution captures the creation of irrigation potential in India
system. (except north-eastern region), and in North-eastern part
(Please see Table 1 in Annexure).
Figure 1: Irrigation Potential Created for Food Crops in North East and India except North East
Source: Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture and
Framers Welfare, Govt. of India
3
Table 1: Irrigation Potential Created for Food Crops in North East and Rest of India (in Thousand Hectares)
Year India Except North East North East
Total Crop area Total Irrigated Area Proportion of Total Crop Total Irrigated Proportion of
Irrigated Area area Area Irrigated Area
1984-85 133947 45456.4 0.339 4272.000 805.600 0.189
1985-86 135530 45316.8 0.334 4402.000 811.200 0.184
1986-87 135271.9 46911.5 0.347 4246.100 811.500 0.191
1987-88 128759 46011.5 0.357 4281.000 814.500 0.190
1988-89 135808.1 49991.6 0.368 4282.900 816.400 0.191
1989-90 134918.7 50496.1 0.374 4400.300 816.900 0.186
1990-91 136512.2 51306 0.376 4518.800 827.000 0.183
1991-92 131498.9 52608.1 0.400 4534.100 823.900 0.182
1992-93 134487.8 53906 0.401 4529.200 840.000 0.185
1993-94 134087 55294 0.412 4665.000 841.000 0.180
1994-95 135986 57196 0.421 4556.000 839.000 0.184
1995-96 133622 57219 0.428 4654.000 843.000 0.181
1996-97 135576 60886.2 0.449 4581.000 522.800 0.114
1997-98 136196.5 61746.9 0.453 4594.500 524.100 0.114
1998-99 137984 64821 0.470 4566.000 520.000 0.114
1999-00 135799 65758 0.484 4717.000 489.000 0.104
2000-01 133744 63693 0.476 4749.000 490.000 0.103
2001-02 136355 65075 0.477 4711.000 507.000 0.108
2002-03 127564 60860.1 0.477 4678.000 522.900 0.112
2003-04 137457.3 64447.7 0.469 4671.700 520.300 0.111
2004-05 135190.8 65719.3 0.486 4659.200 527.700 0.113
2005-06 136460.6 68177.9 0.500 4707.400 435.100 0.092
2006-07 137632.9 70722.2 0.514 4498.100 495.800 0.110
2007-08 139918.5 72313.9 0.517 4638.500 506.100 0.109
2008-09 138165.7 72827.3 0.527 4860.300 647.700 0.133
2009-10 133749.5 69851.8 0.522 4995.500 584.200 0.117
2010-11 139842 73515.2 0.526 5245.000 576.800 0.110
2011-12 137036.9 75102.8 0.548 5269.100 576.200 0.109
2012-13 133944 74992.3 0.560 5230.000 601.700 0.115
The above figure 1 depicts that proportion of irrigated food crops in North-East India has decreased from the
area under food crops in India (expect North-Eastern financial year 1984-85 to 2012-13. For instance, in the
States) has increased gradually from the financial year financial year 1984-85 the proportion of irrigated area
1984-85 to 2012-13. In the financial year 1984-85 the was 0.189 thousand ha, where as it has been evidenced
proportion of irrigated area was 0.339 thousand ha, that in the financial year 2012-13, the proportion of
where as it has been witnessed that in the financial year irrigated area in North-East India 0.115 thousand ha.
2012-13, the proportion of irrigated area in India (expect Thus, it can be presumed that irrigation potentiality for
North-Eastern States) 0.560 thousand ha. Thus, it can be food crops in North-East India has been decreased.
assumed that irrigation potentiality for food crops in Further, irrigation potentiality for non-food crops has
India (expect North-Eastern States) has been increased. been analyzed (Please see Table 2 in Annexure).
On the other hand, proportion of irrigated area under
Figure 2: Irrigation Potential Created for Non-Food Crops in North East and India except North East
4
Table 2: Irrigation Potential Created for Non-Food Crops in North East and Rest of India (in Thousand Hectares)
India Except North East North East
Total Crop Total Irrigated Proportion of Irrigated Total Crop area Total Irrigated Proportion of
Year area Area Area Area Irrigated Area
1984-85 37252.5 8145.4 0.219 841.500 33.600 0.040
1985-86 37684.2 8120.4 0.215 836.800 33.600 0.040
1986-87 36054.3 8002.4 0.222 832.700 33.600 0.040
1987-88 36819.4 9176.3 0.249 878.600 33.700 0.038
1988-89 41301 10283.5 0.249 885.000 33.500 0.038
1989-90 42083.7 10505.5 0.250 866.300 33.500 0.039
1990-91 43827.5 11037 0.252 883.500 33.000 0.037
1991-92 45302.5 12214.5 0.270 905.500 33.500 0.037
1992-93 45717 11981 0.262 884.000 34.000 0.038
1993-94 46957 12085 0.257 886.000 34.000 0.038
1994-95 46586 12572 0.270 925.000 39.000 0.042
1995-96 48281 13248 0.274 914.000 42.000 0.046
1996-97 48447.8 14601.741 0.301 898.200 14.259 0.016
1997-98 48306.9 13387.728 0.277 890.100 11.272 0.013
1998-99 48247 13317 0.276 853.000 12.000 0.014
1999-00 46984 12946 0.276 896.000 23.000 0.026
2000-01 45936 11957 0.260 911.000 46.000 0.050
2001-02 46031 12748 0.277 917.000 40.000 0.044
2002-03 40750.6 11631.338 0.285 896.400 40.662 0.045
2003-04 46631.1 13010.194 0.279 900.900 63.806 0.071
2004-05 50376 14768.97 0.293 877.000 62.030 0.071
2005-06 50690.9 15550.243 0.307 878.100 116.757 0.133
2006-07 49346 15477.232 0.314 904.000 57.768 0.064
2007-08 49785.2 15181.219 0.305 880.800 57.781 0.066
2008-09 51436.2 15389.392 0.299 865.800 31.608 0.037
2009-10 49287.1 14611.977 0.296 969.900 36.023 0.037
2010-11 51554.5 14752.866 0.286 921.500 43.134 0.047
2011-12 52388.7 16005.25 0.306 937.300 45.750 0.049
2012-13 54248 16934 0.312 977.000 47.000 0.048
The above figure 2 represents that proportion of irrigated On the other hand, proportion of irrigated area under
area under non-food crops in India (expect North- non-food crops in North-East India has also increased
Eastern States) has increased from the financial year from the financial year 1984-85 to the financial year
1984-85 to the financial year 2012-13. In the financial 2012-13. For instance, in the financial year 1984-85 the
year 1984-85 the proportion of irrigated area was 0.219 proportion of irrigated area was 0.040 thousand ha,
thousand ha, where as it has been observed that in the where as it has been witnessed that in the financial year
financial year 2012-13, the proportion of irrigated area in 2012-13, the proportion of irrigated area in North-East
India (expect North-Eastern States) 0.312 thousand ha. India 0.048 thousand ha. Thus, it can be concluded that
Thus, it can be concluded that irrigation potentiality for irrigation potentiality for non-food crops in North-East
food crops in India (expect North-Eastern States) has India has been increased. Further, distribution of net
been increased. irrigated area under different irrigation sources are
described (Please see Table 3 in Annexure).
Figure 3: Distribution of Net Area (thousand Ha) Irrigated under Different Sources in India
5
Table 3: Distribution of Net Area (Thousand Hectares) Irrigated under Different Sources in India
Year India Except North East North East India
Government Private Total Canal (Private Tanks Tube-Wells Other Wells Other
Canal Canal and Government) Sources
1984-85 15805 470 16275 3021 11566 8828 2455
1985-86 15715 465 16180 2765 11903 8515 2502
1986-87 16039 456 16495 2677 12298 8524 2575
1987-88 15286 460 15746 2523 13185 8611 2827
1988-89 16640 462 17102 2996 13716 9498 2836
1989-90 16646 478 17124 2941 14049 9837 2751
1990-91 16973 481 17453 2944 14257 10438 2932
1991-92 17327 464 17791 2991 15168 10869 3048
1992-93 16503 483 16986 3179 15815 11105 3211
1993-94 16653 485 17138 3170 16376 11220 3435
1994-95 16799 480 17279 3276 17189 11722 3533
1995-96 16561 559 17120 3118 17910 11787 3467
1996-97 16889 220 17109 2821 19338 12457 3388
1997-98 17186 211 17397 2597 19680 12431 3106
1998-99 17099 212 17311 2795 21394 12606 3329
1999-00 17247 194 17440 2539 22042 12597 2912
2000-01 15809 203 16012 2466 22566 11252 2909
2001-02 14993 209 15202 2196 23245 11952 4342
2002-03 13867 206 14073 1811 25627 8727 3658
2003-04 14251 206 14458 1916 26691 9693 4299
2004-05 14553 214 14766 1734 25235 9956 7538
2005-06 16490 227 16718 2083 26026 10044 5966
2006-07 16802 224 17027 2078 26942 10698 5999
2007-08 16531 217 16748 1973 28497 9864 6107
2008-09 16686 195 16881 1981 28367 10389 6020
2009-10 14789 188 14978 1587 28371 9992 7008
2010-11 15496 171 15667 1980 28544 10630 6855
2011-12 15846 172 16017 1918 29942 10595 7228
The above figure 3 portrays that extraction of ground irrigation was 16275thousand ha in the year 1984-85,
water for irrigation, especially tube-well irrigation has and has declined to 16017 thousand ha in the year 2011-
progressively increased. It has been seen that net 12. On the other hand, net irrigated area under tanks was
irrigated area under tube-well was 11566 thousand ha in 3021thousand ha in the year 1984-85, and has declined
the year 1984-85 and has gradually increased to 29942 little by 1918 thousand ha in the year 2011-12. Further,
thousand ha in the year 2011-12. Apart from that, the the proportion of canal irrigated area has been portrayed
figure 3 also reveals that use of ground water has more in North-east and other part of India separately (Please
or less remained same or declined for the period 1984-85 see Table 4 in Annexure).
to 2011-12. For instance, net irrigated area under canal
Figure 4: Irrigation Potential Created under Government Intervened Canal Irrigation in North East and IndiaExcept North East
6
Table 4: Irrigation Potential Created under Government Canal Irrigation in North East and Rest of India (in Thousand Hectares)
Net Irrigated Government Proportion of Net Government Proportion of
Area Canal Government Canal Irrigated Canal Government Canal
Irrigated Area Area Irrigated Area
1984-85 41294.000 15705.600 0.380 851.000 99.400 0.117
1985-86 41008.000 15614.500 0.381 857.000 100.500 0.117
1986-87 41706.100 15937.100 0.382 862.900 101.900 0.118
1987-88 42023.800 15182.800 0.361 868.200 103.200 0.119
1988-89 45283.600 16542.400 0.365 864.400 97.600 0.113
1989-90 45838.300 16548.400 0.361 863.700 97.600 0.113
1990-91 47143.000 16868.700 0.358 880.000 104.000 0.118
1991-92 48990.900 17226.300 0.352 875.700 101.000 0.115
1992-93 49438.000 16411.000 0.332 858.000 92.000 0.107
1993-94 50480.000 16561.000 0.328 859.000 92.000 0.107
1994-95 52133.000 16700.000 0.320 866.000 99.000 0.114
1995-96 52536.000 16462.000 0.313 866.000 99.000 0.114
1996-97 54649.378 16720.733 0.306 462.819 168.551 0.364
1997-98 54746.100 17016.259 0.311 464.254 169.931 0.366
1998-99 56990.842 16936.027 0.297 445.000 163.000 0.366
1999-00 57113.682 17071.688 0.299 417.000 175.000 0.420
2000-01 54782.512 15744.991 0.287 422.000 64.000 0.152
2001-02 56505.620 14924.057 0.264 430.000 69.000 0.160
2002-03 53440.676 13794.916 0.258 455.890 72.227 0.158
2003-04 56609.406 14178.294 0.250 447.994 73.111 0.163
2004-05 58767.039 14481.432 0.246 461.790 71.269 0.154
2005-06 60377.794 16430.293 0.272 459.620 59.756 0.130
2006-07 62284.143 16739.205 0.269 459.940 63.168 0.137
2007-08 62726.900 16471.717 0.263 462.327 59.541 0.129
2008-09 63166.214 16624.747 0.263 471.815 61.564 0.130
2009-10 61412.011 14597.521 0.238 523.493 191.829 0.366
2010-11 63133.355 15335.144 0.243 523.197 160.894 0.308
2011-12 65191.540 15774.764 0.242 501.080 70.949 0.142
The above figure 4 depicts that proportion of canal irrigated area in North-East India has been
government intervened canal irrigated area in India increased from the financial year 1984-85 to the
(expect North-Eastern States) has decreased from the financial year 2011-12. For instance, in the financial year
financial year 1984-85 to the year 2012-13. In the 1984-85 the proportion of government intervened canal
financial year 1984-85 the proportion of government irrigated area was 0.117 thousand ha, where as it has
intervened canal irrigated area was 0.380 thousand ha, been evidenced that in the financial year 2011-12, the
where as it has been observed that in the year 2011-12, proportion of government intervened canal irrigated area
the proportion of irrigated area in India (expect North- in North-East India 0.142 thousand ha. Thus, it can be
Eastern States) 0.242 thousand ha. Thus, it can be concluded that net-irrigation potentiality under
concluded that net irrigation potentiality under government intervened canal in North-East India has
government intervened canal for India (expect North- been increased. Further, distribution of net irrigated area
Eastern States) has been decreased. under private canal sources are described (Please see
Table 5 in Annexure).
On the other hand, proportion of government intervened
Figure 5: Irrigation Potential Created under Private Canal Irrigation in North East and Rest of India
7
Table 5: Irrigation Potential Created under Private Canal Irrigation in North East and Rest of India (in Thousand Hectares)
Net Irrigated Private Proportion of Private Canal Net Irrigated Private Proportion of
Area Canal Irrigated Area Area Canal Private Canal
Irrigated Area
1984-85 41294.000 151.700 0.004 851.000 318.300 0.374
1985-86 41008.000 145.600 0.004 857.000 319.400 0.373
1986-87 41706.100 135.200 0.003 862.900 320.800 0.372
1987-88 42023.800 137.900 0.003 868.200 322.100 0.371
1988-89 45283.600 145.500 0.003 864.400 316.500 0.366
1989-90 45838.300 161.500 0.004 863.700 316.500 0.366
1990-91 47143.000 158.000 0.003 880.000 323.000 0.367
1991-92 48990.900 144.300 0.003 875.700 319.900 0.365
1992-93 49438.000 171.000 0.003 858.000 312.000 0.364
1993-94 50480.000 173.000 0.003 859.000 312.000 0.363
1994-95 52133.000 161.000 0.003 866.000 319.000 0.368
1995-96 52536.000 240.000 0.005 866.000 319.000 0.368
1996-97 54649.378 200.109 0.004 462.819 19.591 0.042
1997-98 54746.100 190.001 0.003 464.254 20.591 0.044
1998-99 56990.842 206.165 0.004 445.000 6.000 0.013
1999-00 57113.682 146.612 0.003 417.000 47.000 0.113
2000-01 54782.512 155.818 0.003 422.000 47.000 0.111
2001-02 56505.620 154.567 0.003 430.000 54.000 0.126
2002-03 53440.676 151.118 0.003 455.890 54.908 0.120
2003-04 56609.406 152.314 0.003 447.994 54.151 0.121
2004-05 58767.039 159.018 0.003 461.790 54.669 0.118
2005-06 60377.794 172.434 0.003 459.620 55.040 0.120
2006-07 62284.143 166.746 0.003 459.940 57.500 0.125
2007-08 62726.900 166.811 0.003 462.327 50.044 0.108
2008-09 63166.214 141.035 0.002 471.815 54.029 0.115
2009-10 61412.011 136.440 0.002 523.493 51.838 0.099
2010-11 63133.355 120.252 0.002 523.197 50.390 0.096
2011-12 65191.540 122.829 0.002 501.080 48.855 0.097
The above figure 5 depicts that proportion of private the year 2011-12. But the proportion of private canal
canal irrigated area in India (expect North-Eastern irrigated area in North-East India is higher than the
States), which is between 0.002 thousand ha to 0.005 proportion of private canal irrigated area in India (expect
thousand ha, has more or less remained same from the North-Eastern States). Thus, it can be concluded that
year 1984-85 to the year 2011-12. It reveals that irrigation potential under private canal in North-East
irrigation potential of private canals is very limited India has increased. The distribution of net irrigated area
towards India, except North-Eastern States. On the other under tanks is described further (Please see Table 6 in
hand, proportion of private canal irrigated area in North- Annexure).
East India has been decreased from the year 1984-85 to
Figure 6: Distribution of Net Irrigated Area (thousand Ha) under Tanks in North-East and Rest of India
8
Table 6: Distribution of Net Irrigated Area under Tanks in North-East and Rest of India (in Thousand Hectares)
Net Irrigated Tanks Proportion of Tank Net Irrigated Area Tanks Proportion of Tank
Area Irrigated Area Irrigated Area
1984-85 41294.000 3019.400 0.073 851.000 1.600 0.002
1985-86 41008.000 2763.300 0.067 857.000 1.700 0.002
1986-87 41706.100 2675.200 0.064 862.900 1.800 0.002
1987-88 42023.800 2521.200 0.060 868.200 1.800 0.002
1988-89 45283.600 2994.000 0.066 864.400 2.000 0.002
1989-90 45838.300 2939.000 0.064 863.700 2.000 0.002
1990-91 47143.000 2936.100 0.062 880.000 8.000 0.009
1991-92 48990.900 2983.300 0.061 875.700 8.000 0.009
1992-93 49438.000 3174.000 0.064 858.000 5.000 0.006
1993-94 50480.000 3165.000 0.063 859.000 5.000 0.006
1994-95 52133.000 3271.000 0.063 866.000 5.000 0.006
1995-96 52536.000 3113.000 0.059 866.000 5.000 0.006
1996-97 54649.378 2819.272 0.052 462.819 1.799 0.004
1997-98 54746.100 2594.884 0.047 464.254 1.799 0.004
1998-99 56990.842 2792.915 0.049 445.000 2.000 0.004
1999-00 57113.682 2537.385 0.044 417.000 2.000 0.005
2000-01 54782.512 2461.258 0.045 422.000 5.000 0.012
2001-02 56505.620 2190.727 0.039 430.000 5.000 0.012
2002-03 53440.676 1805.400 0.034 455.890 5.393 0.012
2003-04 56609.406 1910.838 0.034 447.994 5.393 0.012
2004-05 58767.039 1728.849 0.029 461.790 5.393 0.012
2005-06 60377.794 2078.350 0.034 459.620 4.752 0.010
2006-07 62284.143 2073.598 0.033 459.940 4.596 0.010
2007-08 62726.900 1968.151 0.031 462.327 5.010 0.011
2008-09 63166.214 1975.541 0.031 471.815 5.011 0.011
2009-10 61412.011 1583.468 0.026 523.493 3.156 0.006
2010-11 63133.355 1976.726 0.031 523.197 3.156 0.006
2011-12 65191.540 1911.895 0.029 501.080 6.375 0.013
The above figure 6 depicts that proportion of tank Thus, irrigation potential for tanks has been decreased in
irrigated area in India (expect North-Eastern States) has India (expect North-Eastern States). On the other hand,
gradually decreased from the financial year 1984-85 to proportion of tanks irrigated area in North-East India has
the financial year 2011-12. In the financial year 1984-85 been registered increase over the years. Thus, it reveals
the proportion of tank irrigated area was 0.073 thousand that irrigation potentiality created under tanks in North-
ha, where as it has been observed that in the financial East India has been increased. In the next diagram, net
year 2011-12, the proportion of tank irrigated area in irrigated area under tube-wells has been depicted.
India (expect North-Eastern States) 0.029 thousand ha.
Figure 7: Distribution of Net Irrigated Area (thousand Ha) under Tube-Wells in North-East and Rest of India
9
Table 7: Distribution of Net Irrigated Area under Tube-Wells in North-East and Rest of India (in Thousand Hectares)
Net Irrigated Tube-Wells Proportion of Tube- Net Irrigated Tube- Proportion of Tube-Well
Area Well Irrigated Area Area Wells Irrigated Area
1984-85 41294.000 11560.700 0.280 851.000 5.300 0.006
1985-86 41008.000 11897.600 0.290 857.000 5.400 0.006
1986-87 41706.100 12292.300 0.295 862.900 5.700 0.007
1987-88 42023.800 13179.100 0.314 868.200 5.900 0.007
1988-89 45283.600 13709.300 0.303 864.400 6.700 0.008
1989-90 45838.300 14042.300 0.306 863.700 6.700 0.008
1990-91 47143.000 14248.700 0.302 880.000 8.000 0.009
1991-92 48990.900 15157.400 0.309 875.700 11.000 0.013
1992-93 49438.000 15813.000 0.320 858.000 2.000 0.002
1993-94 50480.000 16374.000 0.324 859.000 2.000 0.002
1994-95 52133.000 17187.000 0.330 866.000 2.000 0.002
1995-96 52536.000 17908.000 0.341 866.000 2.000 0.002
1996-97 54649.378 19335.785 0.354 462.819 1.960 0.004
1997-98 54746.100 19678.203 0.359 464.254 1.965 0.004
1998-99 56990.842 21392.277 0.375 445.000 2.000 0.004
1999-00 57113.682 22040.161 0.386 417.000 2.000 0.005
2000-01 54782.512 22549.646 0.412 422.000 16.000 0.038
2001-02 56505.620 23228.580 0.411 430.000 16.000 0.037
2002-03 53440.676 25609.405 0.479 455.890 17.376 0.038
2003-04 56609.406 26673.979 0.471 447.994 17.376 0.039
2004-05 58767.039 25217.178 0.429 461.790 17.376 0.038
2005-06 60377.794 26010.596 0.431 459.620 15.420 0.034
2006-07 62284.143 26927.430 0.432 459.940 14.848 0.032
2007-08 62726.900 28490.991 0.454 462.327 5.852 0.013
2008-09 63166.214 28361.165 0.449 471.815 5.858 0.012
2009-10 61412.011 28357.977 0.462 523.493 12.622 0.024
2010-11 63133.355 28531.721 0.452 523.197 12.622 0.024
2011-12 65191.540 29928.945 0.459 501.080 12.858 0.026
Figure 7 depicts that proportion of tube-well irrigated increased in India (expect North-Eastern States). On the
area in India (expect North-Eastern States) has gradually other hand, proportion of tube-well irrigated area in
increased between1984-85 to 2011-12. In the year 1984- North-East India has also increased periodically over the
85 the proportion of tube-well irrigated area was 0.280 said period. Thus, it reveals that irrigation potential
thousand ha, whereas it has been observed that in the under tube-wells in North-East India has also increased.
year 2011-12, the proportion of tube-well irrigated area However, another source of irrigation, namely, other
in India (expect North-Eastern States) 0.459 thousand wells, has been captured in the next diagram.
ha. Thus, irrigation potential for tube-well has been
Figure 8: Distribution of Net Irrigated Area (Thousand Ha) under Other-Wells in North-East and Rest of India
10
Table 8: Distribution of Net Irrigated Area under Other-Wells in North-East and Rest of India (in Thousand Hectares)
Net Irrigated Area Other-Wells Proportion of Net Irrigated Other- Proportion of Other-
Other-Well Area Wells Well Irrigated Area
Irrigated Area
1984-85 41294.000 8828.000 0.214 851.000 0.000 0.000
1985-86 41008.000 8515.000 0.208 857.000 0.000 0.000
1986-87 41706.100 8524.000 0.204 862.900 0.000 0.000
1987-88 42023.800 8611.000 0.205 868.200 0.000 0.000
1988-89 45283.600 9498.000 0.210 864.400 0.000 0.000
1989-90 45838.300 9837.000 0.215 863.700 0.000 0.000
1990-91 47143.000 10437.500 0.221 880.000 0.000 0.000
1991-92 48990.900 10868.700 0.222 875.700 0.000 0.000
1992-93 49438.000 11103.000 0.225 858.000 2.000 0.002
1993-94 50480.000 11218.000 0.222 859.000 2.000 0.002
1994-95 52133.000 11720.000 0.225 866.000 2.000 0.002
1995-96 52536.000 11785.000 0.224 866.000 2.000 0.002
1996-97 54649.378 12454.915 0.228 462.819 1.799 0.004
1997-98 54746.100 12428.743 0.227 464.254 1.799 0.004
1998-99 56990.842 12604.289 0.221 445.000 2.000 0.004
1999-00 57113.682 12594.786 0.221 417.000 2.000 0.005
2000-01 54782.512 11248.278 0.205 422.000 4.000 0.009
2001-02 56505.620 11948.017 0.211 430.000 4.000 0.009
2002-03 53440.676 8722.953 0.163 455.890 4.393 0.010
2003-04 56609.406 9688.838 0.171 447.994 4.393 0.010
2004-05 58767.039 9951.383 0.169 461.790 4.393 0.010
2005-06 60377.794 10039.976 0.166 459.620 4.410 0.010
2006-07 62284.143 10694.033 0.172 459.940 4.195 0.009
2007-08 62726.900 9859.784 0.157 462.327 4.339 0.009
2008-09 63166.214 10384.715 0.164 471.815 4.341 0.009
2009-10 61412.011 9989.762 0.163 523.493 2.513 0.005
2010-11 63133.355 10627.837 0.168 523.197 2.512 0.005
2011-12 65191.540 10591.272 0.162 501.080 4.035 0.008
The above figure (figure 8) depicts that proportion of a little over the same period. Thus, it reveals that
other-well irrigated area in India (expect North-Eastern irrigation potential under other -wells in North-East
States) has decreased over the years though, proportion India has increased. Further, distributions of net irrigated
of other-well irrigated area in North-East India increased area under other sources are described in the figure nine.
Figure 9: Distribution of Net Irrigated Area (Thousand Ha) under Other-Sources in North-East and Rest of India
11
Table 9: Distribution of Net Irrigated Area under Other-Sources in North-East and Rest of India (in Thousand Hectares)
Year India Except North East) North East India
Net Irrigated Other-Sources Proportion of Net Irrigated Other- Proportion of Other-
Area Other-Sources Area Sources Sources
Irrigated Area Irrigated Area
1984-85 41294.000 2028.600 0.049 851.000 426.400 0.501
1985-86 41008.000 2072.000 0.051 857.000 430.000 0.502
1986-87 41706.100 2142.300 0.051 862.900 432.700 0.501
1987-88 42023.800 2391.800 0.057 868.200 435.200 0.501
1988-89 45283.600 2394.400 0.053 864.400 441.600 0.511
1989-90 45838.300 2310.100 0.050 863.700 440.900 0.510
1990-91 47143.000 2495.000 0.053 880.000 437.000 0.497
1991-92 48990.900 2612.300 0.053 875.700 435.800 0.498
1992-93 49438.000 2766.000 0.056 858.000 445.000 0.519
1993-94 50480.000 2989.000 0.059 859.000 446.000 0.519
1994-95 52133.000 3094.000 0.059 866.000 439.000 0.507
1995-96 52536.000 3028.000 0.058 866.000 439.000 0.507
1996-97 54649.378 3118.564 0.057 462.819 269.120 0.581
1997-98 54746.100 2838.010 0.052 464.254 268.170 0.578
1998-99 56990.842 3059.169 0.054 445.000 270.000 0.607
1999-00 57113.682 2723.049 0.048 417.000 189.000 0.453
2000-01 54782.512 2622.520 0.048 422.000 286.000 0.678
2001-02 56505.620 4059.672 0.072 430.000 282.000 0.656
2002-03 53440.676 3356.884 0.063 455.890 301.593 0.662
2003-04 56609.406 4005.143 0.071 447.994 293.570 0.655
2004-05 58767.039 7229.179 0.123 461.790 308.690 0.668
2005-06 60377.794 5646.145 0.094 459.620 320.243 0.697
2006-07 62284.143 5683.130 0.091 459.940 315.633 0.686
2007-08 62726.900 5769.447 0.092 462.327 337.543 0.730
2008-09 63166.214 5679.011 0.090 471.815 341.011 0.723
2009-10 61412.011 6746.843 0.110 523.493 261.535 0.500
2010-11 63133.355 6561.407 0.104 523.197 293.623 0.561
2011-12 65191.540 6869.581 0.105 501.080 358.008 0.714
Figure 9 portrays that proportion of other-sources the financial year 1984-85 to the financial year 2012-13.
irrigated area in India (expect North-Eastern States) has Further, it has been witnessed that extraction of ground
increased periodically over the years, i.e. from 1984-85 water for irrigation in India has been progressively
to 2011-12. On the other hand, proportion of other- increased, especially in tube-well irrigation. Moreover,
sources irrigated area in North-East India also increased net irrigated area under canal irrigation was 16275
a little the year. Hence, it shows that irrigation potential thousand ha in the financial 1984-85, and it has declined
under other-sources in North-East India as well as in rest to 16017 thousand ha in the financial year 2011-12. But,
part of India has increased. proportion of government intervened canal irrigated area
in India (expect North-Eastern States) has decreased
MAJOR FINDINGS: over the last financial years, whereas proportion of
The study reveals that proportion of irrigated area under government intervened canal irrigated area in North-East
food crops and non-food crops in India (expect North- India has been increased over past twenty-nine financial
Eastern States) has increased gradually from the 1984-85 years. Rest, proportion of tanks irrigated area in India
to 2012-13. The broad objective of the study was to (expect North-Eastern States) has gradually decreased
capture the contribution of the different sources of over the financial years, whereas proportion of tanks
irrigation in North East India and that of the other part of irrigated area in North-East India has been increased.
India. The motivation of the study was to identify the Further, proportion of tube-well irrigated area has
importance given to the north eastern part of the country gradually increased in whole India over last three
compared to the rest of the country in terms of irrigation decades. Lastly, it has been witnessed that proportion of
towards agricultural support. On the other hand, other-sources irrigated area in India has subsequently
proportion of irrigated area under food crops in North- increased over the financial years.
East India has decreased over the past 29 (twenty-nine)
years. But proportion of irrigated area under non-food CONCLUSION:
crops in North-East India has also been increased from After the Independence, during plan periods, numbers of
12
multipurpose river valley projects have been

implemented, big dams and reservoirs have been built
for agro-economic growth and national prosperity,
through irrigation management, hydropower generation,
flood control, soil conservation, water supply etc. The
main objective of such types of surface water projects
was to supply irrigation water to the fields on a
prolonged basis. The result was eminent, through the
increase in irrigable area and increase in crop
production. On the other hand, the over extraction of
underground water, encouraged during the period of the
adoption of New Agricultural Technology and High
Yielding Varieties Technology, has become a menace. In
this backdrop, emphasis on surface water management
has become a felt need, particularly in the areas where
the topography is undulating and perennial source of
water is seriously absent. In those particular areas,
surface water management can be done through various
forms of water accumulation techniques and water
provisioning. In this processes rain water play an
important role for water accumulation, this can be stored
through constructing water reservoirs, tanks and dams in
the form of watersheds. Further, development of these
watersheds and integrated management can reduce
depletion of groundwater resources.
REFERENCES:
1. Agrihome Expressions. (n.d.). Retrieved November 16, 2016, from
Agrihome Expressions: http://agrihomegh.com/types-irrigation/
2. Mukherji, A., Verma, S., and Rath, P. (2003). Canal Irrigation
Management by Tribal Communities: Case Study of AKRSP(I)
Supported PIM Societies in South Gujarat. IWMI.
3. Patel, A. (2013). India Microfinance. Retrieved May 14, 2015,
from A India Microfinance Website:
https://indiamicrofinance.com/agricultural-in-north-east-india.html
4. Planning Commission, Government of India. (n.d.). Retrieved 6 5,
2015, from Planning Commission Website:
http://planningcommission.gov.in/plans/planrel/fiveyr/9th/vol2/v2
c4-1.htm
5. Sen, P., Devi, N. L., and Singha, D. Understanding Indigenous
Irrigation Systems in North East India. Eco Whisper. 2015; II(1).
6. Shah, T. Past, Present, and the Future of Canal Irrigation in India.
New Delhi: Oxford University Press.2011;
7. Shirsath, P. B. (2009, January 1). indiairrigation.blogspot.in.
Retrieved from http://indiairrigation.blogspot.in/2009/01/history-
of-irrigation-development-in_01.html
8. Vaidyanathan, A. Water Resource Management Institutions and
Irrigation Development in India. New Delhi: Oxford University
Press. 1999;
13
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Irrigation Infrastructure in India with Special Reference to North East

Article in Research Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences · July 2019

Manish Sarkar Samrat Goswami

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Irrigation Infrastructure in India with Special Reference to North East

KEYWORDS: Agriculture, Crops area, Irrigated area, Proportional changes,

INTRODUCTION: The Planning Commission has distinguished irrigation

multipurpose river valley projects have been

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