Rural Development

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Rural Development

• IRRIGATION
• - The Back Bone
• Overview, Challenges
• Strategy for future

Mukesh Vats
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IRRIGATION IS BACKBONE OF AGRICULTURE
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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

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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.

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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.

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Ancient irrigation channel
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ANICUTS OF SOUTH INDIA
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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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TRADITIONAL IRRIGATION METHODS
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TRADITIONAL IRRIGATION METHODS
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RAINFALL MAP OF INDIA
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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.

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CANALS
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BHAKRA DAM ON RIVER SATLUJ
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VIEW OF DIVERSION STRUCTURE
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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.

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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.

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LINED CANAL AND DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
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FALLS FOR MICRO HYDROELECTRIC PLANTS
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(No Transcript)
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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.

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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.

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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.

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Problems with Major irrigation projects
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WATER LOGGING IS COMMON NEAR CANALS
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SILTATION OF RIVER BEDS CAUSES FLASH FLOODS
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REDUCED DISCHARGE IN RIVERS INCREASES POLLUTION
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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Tube well irrigation
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Nearness to fields reduces water loss
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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.

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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.

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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.

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Sustaining the boom

• Water is natures 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.

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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.

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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.

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Over-irrigation causes salination of ground water
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Increased ground water use
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Excess ground water extraction causes problems
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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.

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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.

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Traditional Baolis
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TRADITIONAL JOHADS
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STEP WELLS
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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.

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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.

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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.

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A TYPICAL WATERSHED
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Shramadan and peoples involvement in
implementation
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NATURAL FLOW IN A WATERSHED
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COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION
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WATER MANAGEMENT IS PART OF WATERSHED DEVELOPMENT
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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.

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Wind pumps
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Solar pumps
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Technological upgradation by using animal power
for pumping is required
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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.

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Roof top rain water harvesting
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Simple ways to recharge ground water
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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.

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IRRIGATION TANKS
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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.

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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.

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Micro irrigation methods
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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.

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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.

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Drip irrigation plan
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Demonstration of drip irrigation
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Drip without use of power
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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.

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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 .

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Sprinkler irrigation scheme
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Sprinkler components
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Sprinkler irrigation
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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.

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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.

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Lift irrigation
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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.

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Dug wells
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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Sum up

• Instead of investing more on new canals the
  maintenance and proper management of existing
  system is needed.
• Peoples 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.

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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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• THANK
• YOU