Irrigation

 Irrigation is the science of the artificial application of water to

the land by the 'crop water requirements throughout the 'crop
What is 
period' for full-fledged nourishment of the crops (Garg, 1996).
Irrigation is the process of artificially supplying crops with
Irrigation? water. This technique is especially important in areas that
receive little rain or irregular rainfall (Definition & Types of
Irrigation, 2016).
"no grain is ever produced without water, but too much water
tends to spoil the
grain; an inundation is as injurious to crop growth as a dearth of
water."
NamradaSmriti XI
  • Increases agricultural productivity and allows for multiple
cropping during a year provide jobs.
 • Reduces the risk of crop failures.
Advantages of  • Higher productivity results in a steady supply of food at lower
Irrigation prices (supply-demand principle of economics)
 • Improves socioeconomic conditions of farmers
  • Excessive irrigation may cause a decrease in crop yield
 • Excessive irrigation may cause the leaching of pesticides,
insecticides, nitrogen,
 and nitrates to groundwater and transport them to surface water
systems.
Disadvantages of  • In poorly drained soils, waterlogging and salinity may occur.

Irrigation  • In poorly maintained canals- excessive seepage may cause

waterlogging.
 • Excessive groundwater pumping may cause a decrease in
groundwater levels
 which may damage aquifer structure and increase the risk of
land subsidence.
  To supply essential moisture for plant growth
 Transportation of fertilizers (Fertigation)

Purpose of  To leach or dilute salts in the soil

 To help in field preparation, dust control, etc.
Irrigation  Other benefits of irrigation include cooling of the soil and
atmosphere to create a more favorable environment for crop
growth and frost control
Sources of Water
Natural Sources

Irrigation water sources can be broadly

classified into two main groups, namely,
 • Surface water sources and
 • Groundwater sources