HPAS/Allied Mains 2022 Answer Writing Challenge Day 36: Model Answer

Question: What are the advantages of irrigation? Discuss the new water efficient techniques of irrigation. 8 Marks

Answer: 

Irrigation is the artificial application of water to the soil or agricultural field. It is the replacement or supplementation of rainwater with another source of water. It is used in dry areas and during periods of inadequate rainfall. The main idea behind irrigation systems is to assist in the growth of agricultural crops particularly for high yielding varieties after green revolution in India, increasing food production and productivity thus help in reaching the food security and increasing the farmer’s income.

At present nearly 45% of total sown area in India has been put under various types of irrigation.

Advantages of Irrigation

1. Insufficient and uncertain rainfall adversely affects agriculture. Droughts and famines are caused due to low rainfall. Irrigation helps to increase productivity even in low rainfall.
2. Multiple cropping is not possible in India because the rainy season is specific in most of the regions. However, the climate supports cultivation throughout the year. Irrigation facilities make it possible to grow more than one crop in most of the areas of the country.
3. Irrigation has helped to bring most of the fallow land under cultivation.
4. Irrigation has stabilized the output and yield levels.
5. Irrigation increases the availability of water supply, which in turn increases the income of the farmers.

New techniques of Irrigation

Agriculture sector is the largest consumer of water in India and is the major cause of ground water depletion in India. In wake of water crisis and rising food demand we need to use the water judiciously now.

1. Drip Irrigation: In drip irrigation, water is applied near the plant root through emitters or drippers, on or below the soil surface, at a low rate varying from 2-20 litres per hour. The soil moisture is kept at an optimum level with frequent irrigations. Among all irrigation methods, drip irrigation is the most efficient and can be practiced for a large variety of crops, especially in vegetables, orchard crops, flowers and plantation crops. Fertilizer and nutrient loss is minimized due to localized application and reduced leaching. Field levelling is not necessary. Recycled non-potable water can be used. Water application efficiency increases. Soil erosion and weed growth is lessened.
2. Sprinkler Irrigation: In this method, water is sprayed into the air and allowed to fall on the ground surface somewhat resembling rainfall. The spray is developed by the flow of water under pressure through small orifices or nozzles. The sprinkler irrigation system is a very suitable method for irrigation on uneven lands and on shallow soils. Nearly all crops are suitable for sprinkler irrigation systems except crops like paddy, jute, etc.
3. Furrow Irrigation: Furrow irrigation is a type of surface irrigation in which trenches, or “furrows” are dug between crop rows in a field. Farmers flow water down the furrows and it seeps vertically and horizontally to refill the soil reservoir. Flow to each furrow is individually controlled.

Therefore, Government has floated series of schemes to increase the area under irrigation and bring efficiency to it like “Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)” a sub- component of Soil Health Management (SHM) scheme under National Mission of Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) aims at development of models of excellence in organic farming through a mix of traditional wisdom and modern science.