1. What is Irrigation?
Irrigation is the artificial supply of water to agricultural fields to enhance crop production, especially in areas where rainfall is insufficient or irregular.
📌 Fact: About 55% of India’s cultivated land is irrigated, while the rest depends on monsoons. Source
2. Importance of Irrigation in India
✅ Ensures Food Security – Provides water for crops, reducing dependence on rainfall.
✅ Increases Agricultural Productivity – Irrigated land produces higher yields.
✅ Supports Multi-Cropping – Farmers can grow multiple crops in a year.
✅ Reduces Risk of Droughts & Crop Failure – Protects against irregular monsoons.
✅ Promotes Green Revolution – Enhanced the production of wheat and rice.
📌 Fact: Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh have the highest irrigation coverage in India.
3. Sources of Irrigation in India
A. Surface Water Irrigation (Rivers, Canals, Tanks)
| Type | Description | Major States |
|---|---|---|
| Canal Irrigation | Water supplied from rivers through man-made canals. | Punjab, UP, Bihar, Tamil Nadu |
| Tank Irrigation | Water stored in tanks and ponds for later use. | Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh |
| River Lift Irrigation | Direct pumping of river water to fields. | Maharashtra, West Bengal, Odisha |
📌 Fact: Indira Gandhi Canal (Rajasthan) is India’s longest canal.
B. Groundwater Irrigation (Wells, Tube Wells)
| Type | Description | Major States |
|---|---|---|
| Well Irrigation | Traditional method using open wells. | Punjab, Haryana, Bihar |
| Tube Well Irrigation | Deep wells using electric or diesel pumps. | UP, Gujarat, Rajasthan |
| Borewell Irrigation | Advanced tube wells extracting deep groundwater. | Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra |
📌 Fact: India is the largest user of groundwater for irrigation in the world.
C. Modern Methods of Irrigation
| Type | Description | Advantages |
|---|---|---|
| Drip Irrigation | Delivers water directly to plant roots in drops. | Saves 50% water, prevents soil erosion. |
| Sprinkler Irrigation | Sprays water over crops like artificial rain. | Used in dry areas (Rajasthan, Gujarat). |
| Rainwater Harvesting | Collecting rainwater for irrigation. | Used in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka. |
📌 Fact: Drip irrigation is widely used in Rajasthan and Gujarat to save water.
4. Major Irrigation Projects in India
| Project/Dam | River | State |
|---|---|---|
| Bhakra Nangal | Sutlej | Punjab, Himachal Pradesh |
| Hirakud | Mahanadi | Odisha |
| Sardar Sarovar | Narmada | Gujarat |
| Indira Gandhi Canal | Sutlej | Rajasthan |
| Krishna Raja Sagar | Kaveri | Karnataka |
| Nagarjuna Sagar | Krishna | Telangana, Andhra Pradesh |
| Tehri Dam | Bhagirathi | Uttarakhand |
📌 Fact: Bhakra Nangal Dam (Punjab) is the largest multi-purpose irrigation project in India.
5. Irrigation Distribution in India
| Region | Irrigation Type Dominant | States |
|---|---|---|
| North India (Indo-Gangetic Plains) | Canal & Tube Wells | Punjab, Haryana, UP, Bihar |
| South India (Deccan Plateau) | Tank & Canal Irrigation | Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, AP |
| Western India (Dry Regions) | Drip & Sprinkler Irrigation | Rajasthan, Gujarat |
| Eastern India (Delta Regions) | River & Lift Irrigation | West Bengal, Odisha, Assam |
📌 Fact: Punjab & Haryana have the highest canal and tube well irrigation coverage.
6. Challenges in Irrigation Sector
A. Overuse of Groundwater
- 85% of irrigation in Punjab and Haryana depends on groundwater, causing depletion.
- Solution: Promote rainwater harvesting & drip irrigation.
B. Inefficient Water Management
- Poor maintenance of canals and reservoirs leads to water wastage.
- Solution: Use micro-irrigation techniques.
C. Unequal Distribution of Irrigation Facilities
- Western & Southern states face water scarcity, while Indo-Gangetic plains have abundant water.
- Solution: Implement interlinking of rivers.
D. Waterlogging & Soil Salinity
- Excessive irrigation causes salinity issues in Punjab, Haryana, and Gujarat.
- Solution: Improve drainage systems & adopt precision farming.
E. High Cost of Irrigation Infrastructure
- Electricity for pumps and borewells is expensive for farmers.
- Solution: Provide solar-powered irrigation systems.
📌 Fact: Rajasthan & Gujarat use drip irrigation to save water in arid regions.
7. Government Schemes for Irrigation
| Scheme | Objective | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) | Water conservation & irrigation expansion | 2015 |
| Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP) | Speed up irrigation projects | 1996 |
| Har Khet Ko Pani | Ensure irrigation for all farms | 2015 |
| Per Drop More Crop | Promote micro-irrigation | 2015 |
| National Mission on Micro-Irrigation | Promote drip & sprinkler irrigation | 2010 |
📌 Fact: PMKSY (2015) aims to provide irrigation to every farm (Har Khet Ko Pani).
8. Interlinking of Rivers Project (ILR)
📍 Objective: Transfer surplus water from flood-prone rivers to water-deficient regions.
📍 Key Projects:
- Ken-Betwa Link (MP & UP) – First river interlinking project.
- Ganga-Cauvery Link – Planned for North-South water transfer.
📌 Fact: Ken-Betwa Project (MP & UP) is India’s first interlinking river project.
9. Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs)
- Which irrigation method is best suited for dry areas like Rajasthan?
a) Canal Irrigation
b) Drip Irrigation
c) Tank Irrigation
d) River Lift Irrigation
✔ Answer: (b) Drip Irrigation - Which state has the largest canal irrigation network in India?
a) Uttar Pradesh
b) Punjab
c) Tamil Nadu
d) Rajasthan
✔ Answer: (a) Uttar Pradesh - Which irrigation project is the longest canal system in India?
a) Indira Gandhi Canal
b) Bhakra Nangal
c) Sardar Sarovar Dam
d) Tehri Dam
✔ Answer: (a) Indira Gandhi Canal - Which is the largest multipurpose river valley project in India?
a) Sardar Sarovar Dam
b) Bhakra Nangal Dam
c) Nagarjuna Sagar Dam
d) Hirakud Dam
✔ Answer: (b) Bhakra Nangal Dam - Which scheme promotes micro-irrigation in India?
a) PMKSY
b) AIBP
c) Green India Mission
d) Har Khet Ko Pani
✔ Answer: (a) PMKSY - Which irrigation project is the first interlinking river project in India?
a) Ganga-Cauvery Link
b) Krishna-Godavari Link
c) Ken-Betwa Link
d) Mahanadi-Godavari Link
✔ Answer: (c) Ken-Betwa Link
10. Short Answer Questions
- Which is the largest canal in India?
- Indira Gandhi Canal.
- Which dam is built on the Sutlej River?
- Bhakra Nangal Dam.
- Which scheme promotes micro-irrigation?
- Per Drop More Crop (PMKSY).
- What is the purpose of the Ken-Betwa Project?
- Interlinking rivers for better water distribution.
📚 Perfect for UPSC, SSC, State PSCs, and RRB Exams! 🚀 Let me know if you need more details! ✅