GS3 PYQ (Mains Answer Writing): Irrigation System | Environment for UPSC CSE PDF Download

Suggest measures to improve water storage and irrigation system to make its judicious use under depleting scenario. (UPSC MAINS GS3 )

India is a country whose majority proportion of economy is agriculture based, but the diverse soil and moisture content in the soil makes irrigation as a needed aspect. To minimize dependence on monsoon which is being erratic, development of irrigation becomes essential. For instance, farmers in Odisha, Bihar are poverty stricken due to lack of irrigation in farm fields. Judicious use of irrigation enhances the productivity thus raising the yield per hectare.
Like China in the same plot produces 3 time more crops than India due to its efficient irrigation. Also the country’s economic, social and agricultural background makes it utilize the prospect promised by irrigational practices. This artificial means to fulfil the water and moisture requirement of crops is important for India.
Some important storage systems in India: 

• Wells: Irrigation by wells is present in India from the time immemorial. In 1950-51, there were around five million wells and now, their number has been increased to about 12 million. Uttar Pradesh has the largest area of land under good irrigation, followed by Rajasthan, Punjab, and Madhya Pradesh. 
• Tube wells: Tube wells are deeper well from which water is lifted through pumping set operated by an electric motor or a diesel engine. Tamil Nadu with around 11 lakh tube wells has the largest number in the country followed by Maharashtra, 
• Tanks: They are commonly used in Andhra Pradesh, Deccan Plateau, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. Irrigation through tanks offers a host of benefits such as providing drinking water for rural communities and livestock, replenishing groundwater levels, conserving top-soil and others. 
• Canals: In India, canals are the main source of irrigation. Canals are big water sources or channels derived from rivers to provide water to places far away from the river. Ways to improve water storage. Reduce conveyance losses by lining channels or, preferably, by using closed conduits. Reduce direct evaporation during irrigation by avoiding midday sprinkling. Minimize foliar interception by under-canopy, rather than by overhead sprinkling. Reduce runoff and percolation losses due to over irrigation. Reduce evaporation from bare soil by mulching and by keeping the inter-row strips dry. Reduce transpiration by weeds, keeping the inter-row strips dry and applying weed control measures where needed. 

Some important irrigation system in India: 

• Surface irrigation is the creation and distribution of water in an area by way of the gravity flow of water over the soil surface. 
• The soil acts as the developing medium in which water is saved and the conveyance medium over which water flows as it spreads and infiltrates. 
• Common floor irrigation structures used are rill irrigation, border or furrow irrigation. 
• Subsurface irrigation makes use of a community of polyethylene pipes positioned just beneath the floor’s surface to use disinfected effluent inside the root area of plants, preventing airborne drift and declining runoff. 
• This method of irrigation requires much less protection than surface irrigation, and there may be additionally much less hazard of surface saturation and effluent runoff. 
• By decreasing the threat of human contact, it additionally drastically reduces public health risks. 
• Drip irrigation is the most efficient and recommended water and nutrient delivery system for growing crops. 
• It helps to deliver water and vitamins directly to the plant’s roots region accordingly the right and time, thereby each plant receives precisely what it desires, whilst it wishes it, to grow optimally. 
• With this method of irrigation, farmers can produce higher yields even as saving on the water as well as fertilizers, electricity and even crop protection merchandise. 
• Sprinkler Irrigation is a technique of applying irrigation water that is similar to rainfall. 
• Water is distributed through a gadget of pipes generally by way of pumping. 
• It is then sprayed into the air and irrigated complete soil surface via spray heads so that it splits up into tiny water drops which fall to the floor.

Important measures to improve water storage and irrigation system to make its judicious use under depleting Scenario: 

• Increase cropping Intensity: The rainfed areas are mostly single cropped with scanty rainfall, prone to frequent droughts, soil erosion, and characterized by fragile pasture lands. Presently 76% of agricultural land in the country remains unused for half of the productive period due to lack of access to meet the crop water requirement. 
• Large public and private investment for expanding the irrigation system to accelerate agricultural growth and to meet the needs of food security. 
• Improvement in the utilization of irrigation potential and expansion of rural electrification in the eastern region and replacement of high-cost diesel pump sets. 
• The original Gadgil formula, which, earmarked 10 per cent of the total resource to the State Plans for major and medium irrigation and power projects should be revived; 
• A major part of saving of fertilizer subsidy be given to States as grant for irrigation expansion. 
• Suitable incentives be extended for advancing hi-tech irrigation systems like the microprocessorbased drip irrigation technology that has proven ability to save 25 per cent chemical fertilizers, halve the water used and nearly double the yields; 
• Sprinkler device is a specific irrigation system, designed to make sure maximum water saving, combining excessive pleasant, affordability and simplicity of installation. 
• Farmers stakes in irrigation work be raised by conferring on them some degree of. Co-ownership the irrigation system; and 
• A comprehensive watershed management plan need to be formulated and effectively implemented. 
• Best Utilization of Rain Water: By having the surface irrigation systems, helps to shape your farm in a way to where natural water flow reliably irrigates your plants. Because of this reason, surface irrigation plots are very effective at making use of rainwater; the land has already been optimized for water flow. 
• The Government has created a dedicated Micro Irrigation Fund with NABARD. This fund aims to facilitate the States in order to mobilize the resources for expanding coverage of Micro Irrigation in the country. 
• Rainfed Area Development Programme (RADP) is an initiative which aims to increase agricultural productivity of rainfed areas in a sustainable manner by adopting appropriate farming system-based approaches. 

Conclusion 
The agriculture being an important of Indian economy and society, so irrigational practices and its element should be utilized and developed wisely keeping in mind long term requirement and sustainability. Community based scheme in the region with less or no irrigation should be indeed targeted to provide irrigation. Drip irrigation or sprinkler system to be promoted. Schemes like per drop more crop are a good step. Also Assured irrigation is important for diversification to high value crops and doubling of farm income by 2022. 

Topics Covered - Water Irrigation and Storage