1.

0 Introduction
Definition of Irrigation:
General :
Water is essential for all living creatures such as animals, we humans and plants. Life is not possible and imagined without water. Without
food we cannot survive for number of days. We get food from the crops. But ,without water crops are not possible. So, water is supplied to
the crop field to provide sufficient moisture in soil through which crop can get fertilizers, minerals and nutrients to have sufficient growth
for getting maximum production. Water is needed for preparation of land during digging and ploughing, to maintain soil temperature, to
dilute minerals, salts and fertilizers as well as for leaching.
Irrigation is the artificial method of supply of water to the crop from the source by constructing the head work for diverting water
to the canal network systems and conveying of water to the field in accordance to the water requirements of crops during their
base periods. Irrigation includes :
i. Training and tapping of sources of water
ii. Storing of water
iii. Conveying that water effectively to the fields (includes drainage of surplus water also)
iv. Supply of water economically for the bumper crop production

Necessity of irrigation:
Irrigation is the supplement to the rainfall. If rainfall is adequate to fulfill the soil moisture deficiency of soil then there is no need of
artificial supply of water. But, natural rainfall / supply of water is not adequate in accordance to the crop’s need at the particular time with
the controlled manner. More water content at the rootzone of soil may produce water logging problem in one hand and less water / or less
rain fall / no rainfall may obstruct the crop/plant growth having less production or may die / dry by drought having no production . Less
water or more water in soil ultimately decreases in production. Hence, to get maximum crop yield adequate level of moisture should be
retained in soil according to its requirements during its growth period / crop period. Irrigation is necessary /required in case of :
a) Non uniformity of rainfall – crop production is in average amount if rainfall occurs/ mix cropping trend / Farmers dis-satisfaction
b) Less rainfall- No crop production / drought may occur / chance of famine / leads to migration problem
c) Possibility for growing yearly crops or high water requiring crops like sugarcane / rice/ other cash crops (Modern farming practice for
getting high production to have contribution in national economy).
 Status of irrigation in Nepal

Agriculture is the primary economic sector whose contribution is about 30% in

GDP of Nepal. Nearly 70 to75% population dependent on it. Area of Nepal
14.72Million hectares , nearly 18% of total land i.e 2.642 Million ha is under
cultivation, nearly 66% of cultivated land i.e 1.8 M ha is irrigable (1.4MHa in
terai/plains and 0.4 M ha in valleys and hill/mountains). Present Status 42 % of
Cultivated Area has some sort of irrigation, 17 % Cultivated Area has year - round
Irrigation • In Terai Irrigated Area: 8,89,000 ha in which 82 % by Surface Irrigation
and 18 % by Ground Water (Tube wells) • Existing Irrigation System Contribute 33
% of Country’s Current Agriculture Production • By 2027, Irrigation water demand
will grow by 185 % as of today (from 13 M m3 to 37 M m3). 75% of irrigation is
managed by farmers themselves where as 25% is by the government through DOI.
Irrigation Master Plan,1990 had identified a number of potential multipurpose
projects such as: Kanaki Multipurpose Project for Jhapa (38,000 ha), Kamala
Multipurpose Project for Siraha/Mahottari (33,000 ha), Sun Koshi Kamala
Diversion Project for Saptari/Sarlahi (1,38,000 ha), Bagmati Multipurpose Project
for Dhanusha/Bara (76,000 ha), West Rapti Multipurpose Project for
Kapilvastu/Banke (76,100 ha), Karnali Multipurpose Project for Banke/Kailali
(1,91,000 ha) and Bheri-Babai Diversion Project for Bardiya (53,500 ha).
 Advantages and disadvantages of irrigation
S. Advantages
N
Rise in food production with optimum benefit  Cold and wet climate/dampness , cold cough
2 Increase in living standards of farmers
3 Domestic use of water (cattle feeding, cleaning, gardening)
4 Elimination of mixed cropping / Introduction to cash crops
5 Communications / inspection roads connects villagers to
district / city / towns & markets.
6 Navigations (ship transportation) / Recreations and
refreshments
7 Afforestation (increase in timber wealth)/ reduces water
loss ( Evaporation)
8 Fishery/ hydropower generation / water supply etc.
9
 Employment opportunity / growth of agro
based  industries / 
Dis-advantages
Breeding of mosquitoes/ mosquito prone
diseases like malaria
Accidents / breaching /sinking
Expensive project, head works ,regulating &
C/D structures, compare to other small projects
as well as its maintenance
Water-logging due to seepage / over irrigation /
rise of salt / ground water source pollution
Risk of quarrel among farmers for water if there
is not effective management .
Cultivated land is decreased due to coverage of
networks of canals and ditches
Revenue collection is very less  with compare to
its construction cost.