India’s Irrigation Needs & Strategies for Development- 3 | Irrigation Engineering - Civil Engineering (CE) PDF Download

Procedure for setting up a major/medium irrigation project scheme in India 

The central design organization of each state desiring to set up an irrigation project shall have to prepare a detailed project report of the proposed irrigation scheme based on the document “Guidelines for Submission, Appraisal and Clearance of Irrigation and Multipurpose Projects” brought out by the Central Water Commission. This report has to be sent to the project appraisal organization of the Central Water Commission for the clearance with a note certifying the following:

1. All necessary surveys and investigations for planning of the project and establishing its economic feasibility have been carried out according to the guidelines mentioned above.
2. 10% or 5000 ha (whichever is minimum) of the command area of the proposed project has been investigated in details in three patches of land representing terrain conditions in the command for estimation of the conveyance system up to the last farm outlets.
3. 10% of the canal structures have been investigated in full detail.
4. Detailed hydrological, geological, construction material investigations have been carried out for all major structures, that is, dams, weirs (or barrages, as the case may be), main canal, branch canal up to distributaries carrying a discharge of 10 cumecs. 
5. Soil survey of the command area has been carried out as per IS 5510-1969.
6. Necessary designs for the various components of the project have been done in accordance with the guidelines and relevant Indian standards.
7. Necessary studies for utilization of ground water have been done with special regard to the problem of water logging and suitable provisions have been made for conjunctive use of ground water and drainage arrangements. 
8. The cropping pattern has been adopted in consultation with the state agriculture department and is based on soil surveys of the command keeping in view the national policy in respect of encouraging crops for producing oil seeds and pulses.
9. The cost estimates and economic evaluations were carried out as per guidelines issued by the Central Water Commission. 

It may be noted that similar report has to be made even for multipurpose projects having irrigation as a component. Apart from the above techno-economic studies carried out by the state central design organization, the project report should be examined by the state-level project appraisal/technical advisory committee comprising representatives of irrigation, agriculture, fisheries, forests, soil conservation, ground water, revenue and finance departments and state environmental management authority.

It may be noted that a project of the magnitude of a major or medium irrigation scheme has wide impacts. Hence, the techno-economic feasibility report should also be supplemented with “Environmental Impact Assessment Report” and “Relief and Rehabilitation Plan”. The latter touches the issue of the plans for appropriate compensation to the affected persons due to the construction of the projects. 

The project proposal submitted to the Central Water Commission shall be circulated amongst the members of the advisory committee of the ministry of water resources for scrutiny. Once the project is found acceptable it shall be recommended for investment clearance to the planning commission and inclusion in the five year plan/annual plan. 

Plan development 

Since the commencement of the first five year plan in 1951, the developmental schemes of India have been planned in a systematic programme. Under this scheme, each state of the union of India has seen development in the field of irrigation development. A brief description of the development in each state so far, has been indicated in the following paragraphs.

Andhra Pradesh: At the beginning of plan development there were about 56 major and medium projects in addition to several minor projects in the state. Irrigation potential of about 2.4 M-ha was created through these projects which was about one-fourth of the ultimate irrigation potential of the state. About one hundred major and medium projects were undertaken during plan development. These along with a large number of minor irrigation projects created an additional potential of about 4M-ha  thus raising the irrigation potential created to about two-thirds of ultimate potential of 9.2 M-ha. This has resulted in bringing a net area of 4.3 M-ha under irrigation out of 11 M-ha of net sown area in the state. The important projects taken up in the last 50 years include large projects like Nagarjuna Sagar, Sriram Sagar and Srisailam inaddition to projects like Tungabhadra high level canal, Somasila etc. 

Arunachal Pradesh: Situated in the hilly region of the North east, irrigation potential of the state is as low as 0.16 M-ha. There was hardly any irrigation projects have been undertaken which have created an irrigation potential of 82,000 ha, which accounts for about half of the ultimate potential. A net area of about 36,000 ha out of the net sown area of 149000 ha has been brought under irrigation by these projects.

Assam: Before the commencement of plan development, irrigation development in the state was limited to minor projects utilizing surface and ground water which provided an irrigation potential of 0.23 M-ha under plan development about 20 major and medium irrigation projects and a large number of minor irrigation projects were undertaken resulting in creation of an irrigation potential of 0.85 M-ha which is about one-third of the ultimate irrigation potential 2.67 M-ha for the state. A net area of 0.57 M-ha has been brought under irrigation through these projects. Important taken up during the period include Bodikerai, Dhansiri, Koilong etc.

Bihar: Irrigation development in the pre-plan period included four major and medium projects in addition to several minor irrigation projects. These projects accounted for an irrigation potential of 1.4 M-ha. About 105 major and medium irrigation projects in addition to a large number of minor irrigation projects were undertaken during plan development, resulting in creation of additional irrigational potential of about 7V. Two-third of the ultimate irrigation potential of 12.4 M-ha for the state has thus been created so far. An area of 3.3 M-ha out of net sown area of 7.7 M-ha in the state has been brought under irrigation from these projects. Important projects undertaken during the plan period include Gandak, Kosi barrage and Eastern canal, Rajpur canal, Sone high level canal, Subernarekha, North Koel reservoir etc. 

Goa: Pre-plan irrigation development in Goa was limited to construction of a few minor projects. During plan development, four major and medium irrigation projects and a number of minor irrigation projects were undertaken. These projects have created an irrigation potential of 35000 ha, which accounts for about 43 percent of the ultimate irrigation potential of 82000 ha for the state. A net area of 23000 ha of the sown area of 131000 ha available to the state has been brought under irrigation. The inportant projects undertaken during the period include Salauli and Anjunem. 

Gujarat: Two major projects and a number of minor irrigation projects were undertaken in the state during the pre-plan period which created an irrigation potential of 0.46 M-ha. About 130 major and medium irrigation projects were undertaken during plan development and these projects have created an irrigation potential of 3.4 M-ha  Thus 74 percent of the ultimate irrigation potential of 4.75 M-ha  for the state has been created. An area of 2.64 M-ha out of net sown area of 9.3 M-ha has been brought under irrigation under the above projects. Important projects taken up in the state include Ukai, Kakarpur, Mahi etc. The giant project of Sardar Sarovar is one of the projects presently ongoing in the state. 

Harayana: The major project of Western Yamuna canal was constructed in the state during preplan period. Irrigation potential created in the pre-plan period was about 0.72 M-ha.  About 10 major projects were taken up during the plan period in addition to a number of tubewells and other minor irrigation projects. The total irrigation potential created by projects so far undertaken amounts to 3.7 M-ha which accounts for about 80 percent of the ultimate irrigation potential for the state. Out of the net sown area of 3.6 M-ha, an area of 2.6 M-ha has been brought under irrigation. Important projects undertaken during the plan period include inter-state projects like Bhakra-Nangal, Sutlej-Yamuna link canal etc. 

Himachal Pradesh: Irrigation development in the hilly state of Himachal Pradesh was restricted to minor projects in the preplan period. During the plan development, 5 major and medium projects and a number of minor projects were undertaken in the state. Sofar, these projects have created a total irrigation potential of 0.16 M-ha  and have brought an area of 99,000 ha under irrigation out of the net sown area of 5,83,000 ha in the state. Important projects undertaken in the State include Balh valley, Shahanahar etc.

Jammu & Kashmir: Pre-plan irrigation development in the state included seven major and medium projects in addition to minor irrigation schemes. These projects accounted for creation of an irrigation potential of 0.33 M-ha.  During the plan development, about 20 major and medium irrigation projects and a number of minor projects were undertaken in the state. With the addition of about 0.22 M-ha  from these projects the irrigation potential, so far, created has risen to 0.55 M-ha  which is about 70 percent of the ultimate irrigation potential of 0.8 M-ha  Net area brought under irrigation is 0.3 M-ha  Important projects undertaken during plan period include Kathua Canal, Ravi-Tawi Lift, Karwal etc. 

Karnataka: Pre-plan irrigation development in the state included 11 major and medium projects, in addition to a large number of minor projects. These projects created an irrigation potential of 0.75 M-ha.  During plan period about 54 major and medium irrigation projects and a number of minor irrigation projects were undertaken. These projects have raised the irrigation potential created in the state to 0.32 M-ha which is about 70 percent of the ultimate irrigation potential of the state. Net area brought under irrigation is 2.1 M-ha  Important projects undertaken during the plan period include Ghataprabha, Malaprabha, Tungabhadra, Upper Krishna stage-I, Kabini, Harangi, Hemavati etc.

Kerala: Irrigation development in the state in the pre-plan period was limited to minor irrigation which had created a potential of 2,25,000 ha. During plan development, about 22 major and medium irrigation projects were undertaken which have raised the irrigation potential created to about 1.2 M-ha  thus achieving 70 percent of the ultimate potential of 2.1 M-ha  for the state. Net area brought under irrigation is 0.33 M-ha.  Important projects taken up during plan development include Malampuzha, Chalakudi, Periyar Valley, Kallada etc.

Madhya Pradesh: A little over 1 M-ha  of irrigation potential was created in the state in the pre-plan period through the construction of about 20 major and medium and a number of minor projects. During the period of plan development about 160 major and medium projects were undertaken along with minor irrigation schemes. With this, the irrigation potential created has gone upto over 5 M-ha which is about half of the ultimate potential of 10.2 M-ha.  About 4.8 M-ha  of land has been broght under irrigation through these projects. Important projects undertaken during the period include Chambal, Barna, Tawa, mahanadi Reservoir, Hasdeo-Bango, Bargi, Upper Wainganga etc.

Maharashtra: Irrigation development in pre-plan period in Maharashtra was also over 1 M-ha achieved through the construction of about 21 major and medium irrigation projects along with a number of minor irrigation projects. During plan development, over 250 major and medium projects and a large number of  minor projects were added which raised the irrigation potential created to about 4.9 M-ha , which is about two-third of the ultimate potential of 7.3 M-ha  Out of the net sown area of 18 M-ha  available to the state, 2.5 Mha  has been brought under irrigation. The important projects undertaken during the period of the plan development included Jayakwadi, Pench, Bhima, Mula, Purna, Khadakwasla, Upper Penganga etc.  

Manipur: An irrigation potential of about 5,000 M-ha was created in the state during pre-plan period through minor irrigation projects. During plan development, six major and medium projects and a number of minor irrigation projects were added which has raised the irrigation potential to 0.14 M-ha  which is about 60 percent of the ultimate potential of 0.24 M-ha  A net area of 65,000 ha has been brought under irrigation through these projects. One of the important irrigation projects taken up is the Loktak lift. 

Meghalaya: Minor irrigation projects are source of irrigation in this hilly state. A potential of 7,000 ha developed in the pre-plan period was enhanced to about 53,000 ha by taking up more minor irrigation projects. The state has little scope of taking up major and medium projects. A net area of about 45,000 ha has, so far, been provided with irrigation.

Mizoram: There was hardly any irrigation development in the state in the pre-plan period. The terrain is not suitable for taking up major and medium projects. In the period of plan development, an irrigation potential of 13,000 ha was created through minor irrigation projects, thereby bringing a net area of about 8,000 ha under irrigation. The ultimate irrigation potential of the state is about 70,000 ha, which is one of the lowest of all states.

Nagaland: Nagaland too has a low irrigation potential of about 90,000 ha out of which about 5,000 ha was created in the pre-plan period through minor irrigation schemes. This has been raised to about 68,000 ha (about three-fourth of the ultimate) by taking up minor irrigation projects. The net area provided with irrigation is of the order of 60,000 ha. 

Orissa: Pre-plan development in the state amounted to 0.46 M-ha through 5 major and medium and a large number of minor irrigation projects. During the period of plan development, 55 major and medium projects and a host of minor irrigation projects were undertaken in the state bringing up the irrigation potential created to about 3 M-ha which is more than half the ultimate irrigation potential of 5.9 M-ha  for the state. A net area of 2 M-ha has been brought under irrigation through these projects. Important projects taken up during the project include Hirakud, Mahanadi Birupa Barrage, upper Kolab etc. Schemes like inter-state Subernarekha project and upper Indravati are presently in progress. 

Punjab: Punjab was one of the states where significant development in irrigation was made during pre-plan period. An irrigation potential of about 0.21 M-ha was created in the state through construction of 5 major and a number of minor lift irrigation projects. During the period of plan development 10 major and medium and a large number of minor projects were undertaken which has raised the irrigation potential of 6.5 M-ha.  A net area of about 3.9 M-ha  has been brought under irrigation in the state out of net sown area of 4.2 M-ha  Important major and medium projects undertaken in the state include inter-state Bhakra Nangal,Sutlej-Yamuna Link Canal, Beas etc. 

Rajasthan: Out of the ultimate irrigation potential of 5.15 M-ha for the state, a potential of 1.5 M-ha was developed during the pre-plan period through the conctruction of one major and 42 medium irrigation projects in addition to several minor projects. About 67 major and medium projects and a large number of minor projects were undertaken during the plan period which has raised the irrigation potential created to about 4.8 M-ha  which is more than 90 percent of ultimate irrigation potential of the state. Net area brought underirrigation is 3.9 M-ha  out of net sown area of 16.4 M-ha  Important projects undertaken during plan development include inter-state Chambal project, Bhakra Nangal, Beas, Indira Nahar, Mahi Bajaj Sagar etc.

Sikkim: There was hardly any irrigation development in Sikkim at the time when plan development started in India. After Sikkim joined as a part of India, plan development was extended to the state in the seventies and an irrigation potential of about 25,000 ha is likely t be developed by the end of 1996-97 through minor irrigation projects. 

Tamil Nadu: The state of Tamil Nadu was one of the forerunners in development of irrigation during the British period. An irrigation potential projects of 2.4 M-ha  was developed through 24 major and medium irrigation projects and a large number of minor irrigation projects during the pre=plan period. About 1.3 M-ha of irrigation potential was added during plan development through addition of 24 major and medium projects and a number of minor irrigation projects. Out of the ultimate irrigation potential of 3.9 M-ha, over 3.7 M-ha  (about 95 percent) has so far been created. Out of the net sown of 5.6 M-ha, net area brought under irrigation is 2.7 M-ha  Important projects undertaken during the peiod include Cauvery Delta, Lower Bhavani, Parambikulam Aliyar etc. 

Tripura: Irigation development in the pre-plan period in Tripura was mainly through minor irrigation. Potential of 10,000 ha was created during the pre-plan period. With the addition of 3 medium and several minor irrigation projects during plan development, the irrigation potential, so far, developed has risen to over 100,000 ha which is nearly half of the ultimate potential of 215,000 ha. About 16,000 ha of sown area have been brought under irrigation. One of the important projects taken up in the state is Gumti. 

Uttar Pradesh: With vast development in the Ganga valley an irrigation potential of 5.4 M-ha was created in the state during the pre-plan period, through 15 major schemes and a host of minor schemes. During plan development over 90 major and medium projects and a very large number of minor irrigation projects were undertaken in the plan period thereby raising the potential created to about 30 M-ha  against the originally assessed ultimate potential of about 26 M-ha  Three-fourth of this development (22.7 M-ha ) is attributed to minor irrigation projects- largely ground water works. About 11.3 M-ha of area out of net sown area of 17.3 M-ha has been brought under irrigation through these projects. Important projects undertaken during the period include Ramganga, Sarda Sahayak, Saryu Nahar, Gandak, Madhya Ganga Canal, Tehri etc. 

West Bengal: Pre-plan irrigation development in West Bengal saw the implementation of major projects in addition to a large number of minor projects which resulted in creation of an irrigation potential of about 0.94 M-ha  During plan period, about 13 major and medium and large number of minor schemes were added which have raised the irrigation potential of 6.1 M-ha  A net area of 1.9 M-ha  has been brought under irrigation through these projects out of net sown area of 5.3 M-ha  Important projects undertaken during the period include DVC Barrage and canal system, Mayurakshi, Kangsabati etc. 

Since the above information has been based on the available data from Central Water Commission, and Ministry of Water Resources, Government of India for the last decade, the smaller states carved out later have not been included and the data represents that for the undivided state. 

History of Irrigation Development

Earliest evidences of irrigation

The history of irrigation development in India can be traced back to prehistoric times. Vedas and ancient Indian scriptures made reference to wells, canals, tanks and dams which were beneficial to the community and their efficient operation and maintenance was the responsibility of the State. Civilization flourished on the banks of the rivers and harnessed the water for sustenance of life. According to the ancient Indian writers, the digging of a tank or well was amongst the greatest of the meritorious act of a man. Brihaspathi, an ancient writer on law and politics, states that the construction and the repair of dams is a pious work and its burden should fall on the shoulders of rich men of the land. Vishnu Purana enjoins merit to a person who patronages repairs to well, gardens and dams.

In a monsoon climate and an agrarian economy like India, irrigation has played a major role in the production process. There is evidence of the practice of irrigation since the establishment of settled agriculture during the Indus Valley Civilization (2500 BC). These irrigation technologies were in the form of small and minor works, which could be operated by small households to irrigate small patches of land and did not require cooperative effort. Nearly all these irrigation technologies still exist in India with little technological change, and continue to be used by independent households for small holdings. The lack of evidence of large irrigation works at this time signifies the absence of large surplus that could be invested in bigger schemes or, in other words, the absence of rigid and unequal property rights. While village communities and cooperation in agriculture did exist as seen in well developed townships and economy, such co-operation in the large irrigation works was not needed, as these settlements were on the fertile and well irrigated Indus basin.

The spread of agricultural settlements to less fertile and irrigated area led to co-operation in irrigation development and the emergence of larger irrigation works in the form of reservoirs and small canals. While the construction of small schemes was well within the capability of village communities, large irrigation works were to emerge only with the growth of states, empires and the intervention of the rulers. There used to emerge a close link between irrigation and the state. The king had at his disposal the power to mobilize labour which could be used for irrigation works.

In the south, perennial irrigation may have begun with construction of the Grand Anicut by the Cholas as early as second century to provide irrigation from the Cauvery river. Wherever the topography and terrain permitted, it was an old practice in the region to impound the surface drainage water in tanks or reservoirs by throwing across an earthen dam with a surplus weir, where necessary, to take off excess water, and a sluice at a suitable level to irrigate the land below. Some of the tanks got supplemental supply from stream and river channels. The entire land-scape in the central and southern India is studded with numerous irrigation tanks which have been traced back to many centuries before the beginning of the Christian era. In northern India also there are a number of small canals in the upper valleys of rivers which are very old. 

Irrigation during Medieval Period 

In the medieval India, rapid advances also took place in the construction of inundation canals. Water was blocked by constructing bunds across steams. This raised the water level and canals were constructed to take water to the fields. These bunds were built by both the state and private sources. Ghiyasuddin Tughluq (1220-250 is credited to be the first ruler who encouraged digging canals. However, it is Fruz Tughlug (1351-86) who inspired from central Asian experience, is considered to be the greatest canal builder before the nineteenth century. Irrigation is said to be one of the major reasons for the growth and expansion of the Vijayanagar empire in southern India in the fifteenth century. It may be noted that, but for exceptional cases, most of the canal irrigation prior to the arrival of the British was of the diversionary nature. The state, through the promotion of irrigation, had sought to enhance revenue and provide patronage through rewards of fertile land and other rights to different classes. Irrigation had also increased employment opportunities and helped in the generation of surplus for the maintenance of the army and the bureaucracy. As agricultural development was the pillar of the economy, irrigation systems were paid special attention to, as irrigation was seen to be a catalyst for enhanced agricultural production. This is demonstrated by the fact that all the large, powerful and stable empires paid attention to irrigation development. It may be said that the state in irrigation was commensurate with its own interest.

Irrigation development under British rule 

Irrigation development under British rule began with the renovation, improvement and extension of existing works, like the ones mentioned above. When enough experience and confidence had been gained, the Government ventured on new major works, like the Upper Ganga Canal, the Upper Bari Doab Canal and Krishna and Godavari Delta Systems, which were all river-diversion works of considerable size. The period from 1836 to 1866 marked the investigation, development and completion of these four major works. In 1867, the Government adopted the practice of accepting works, which promised a minimum net return. Thereafter, a number of projects were taken up. These included major canal works like the Sirhind, the Lower Ganga, the Agra and the Mutha Canals, and the Periyar Dam and canals. Some other major canal projects were also completed on the Indus system during this period. These included the Lower Swat, the Lower Sohag and Para, the Lower Chenab and the Sidhnai Canals, ali of which went to Pakistan in 1947.

The recurrence of drought and famines during the second half of the nineteenth century necessitated the development of irrigation to give protection against the failure of crops and to reduce large scale expenditure on famine relief. As irrigation works in low rainfall tracts were not considered likely to meet the productivity test, they had to be financed from current revenues. Significant protective works were constructed during the period were the Betwa Canal, the Nira Left Bank Canal, the Gokak Canal, the Khaswad Tank and the Rushikulya Canal. Between the two types of works namely productive and protective, the former received greater attention from the Government. The gross area irrigated in British India by public works at the close of the nineteenth century was about 7.5 M-ha  Of this, 4.5 M-ha  came from minor works like tanks, inundation canals etc. for which no separate capital accounts were maintained. The area irrigated by protective works was only a little more than 0.12 M-ha 

Irrigation development at the time of independence 

The net irrigated area in the Indian sub continent, comprising the British Provinces and Princely States, at the time of independence was about 28.2 M-ha , the largest in any country of the world. The partition of the country, however, brought about sudden and drastic changes, resulting in the apportionment of the irrigated area between the two countries; net irrigated area in India and Pakistan being 19.4 and 8.8 M-ha respectively. Major canal systems, including the Sutlej and Indus systems fell to Pakistan’s share. East Bengal, now Bangladesh, which comprises the fertile Ganga  Brahmaputra delta region also went to Pakistan. The irrigation works which remained with India barring some of the old works in Uttar Pradesh and in the deltas of the South, were mostly of a protective nature, and meant more to ward off famine than to produce significant yields. 

Plan development  

In the initial phase of water resources development during the plan period after independence, rapid harnessing of water resources was the prime objective. Accordingly, the State Governments were encouraged to expeditiously formulate and develop water resources projects for specific purposes like irrigation, flood control, hydro-power generation, drinking water supply, industrial and various miscellaneous uses. As a result, a large number of projects comprising dams, barrages, hydro-power structures, canal net work etc. have come up all over the country in successive Five Year Plans. A milestone in water resources development in India is creation of a huge storage capability. Because of these created storage works it has now become possible to provide assured irrigation in the command area, to ensure supply for hydro-power and thermal power plants located at different places and to meet requirement for various other uses. Flood moderation could be effected in flood prone basins, where storage have been provided. Besides, supply of drinking water in remote places throughout the year has become possible in different parts of the country. 

At the time of commencement of the First Five Year Plan in 1951, population of India was about 361 million and annual food grain production was 51 million tonnes which was not adequate. Import of food grains was then inevitable to cover up the shortage. Attaining self sufficiently in food was therefore given paramount importance in the plan period and in order to achieve the objective, various major, medium and minor irrigation and multi-purpose projects were formulated and implemented through successive Five Year Plans to create additional irrigation potential throughout the country. This drive compounded with green revolution in the agricultural sector, has enabled India to become marginally surplus country from a deficit one in food grains. 

Thus the net irrigated area is 37 percent of net sown are and 29 percent of total cultivable area. As stated earlier, the ultimate potential due to major and medium projects has been assessed as 58 M-ha  of which 60 per cent estimated to be developed. 

Scenario of development of irrigation in the states during plan development is discussed in the following paragraphs. 

Minor irrigation 

While the development of irrigation is most essential for increasing food and other agricultural production to meet the needs of the growing population, development of Minor Irrigation should receive greater attention because of the several advantages they posses like small investments, simpler components as also being labour intensive, quick maturing and mot of all farmer friendly. 

Minor Irrigation development programmes in the state is being implemented by many Departments/Organisations like Agriculture, Rural Development, Irrigation, Social Welfare etc At the central level also, different departments launch schemes having Minor Irrigation component.  

The Ministry of Rural Areas and Employment launched a Million Wells Schemes (WMS) in 1988-89. Till 1997-98, a total of 12,63,090 wells have been constructed under MWS with an expenditure of Rs. 4,728.17 crore. The Ministry of Rural Areas and Employment is also implementing Drought Prone Area Programme(DPAP) on watershed basis. 

The Ministry of Agriculture has been instrumental in providing credit to farmers for the development of Minor Irrigation through Commercial Banks, Regional Rural Banks, Cooperatives and National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).

The Minor Irrigation Division of the Ministry of Water Resources monitors the progress of development of irrigation created through Minor Irrigation Project. It implements the Centrally Sponsored Scheme Rationalisation of Minor Irrigation Statistics (RMIS) and conducts census of Minor Irrigation structures on quinquennial basis with a view to create a reliable database for the development of Minor Irrigation Sector. It also assists the State Governments in preparation of schemes for posing to external funding agencies for attracting external assistance for Minor Irrigation Schemes. 

Ground Water Development is primarily done through individual and co-operative efforts of the farmers with the help of institutional finance and their own savings. Surface Water minor Irrigation Scheme i.e. surface lift schemes and surface flow schemes are generally funded from the public sector outlay. NABARD provides finance to the banks for installation of Minor Irrigation works in the States. In addition, the Land Development Banks provide bank credit to the farmers under their normal programmes also. During the year 1997-98, the total credit disbursement for minor irrigation works out of Rs. 488.65 crores. Further, many old schemes go out of use due to one reason or the other. The Irrigation Potential created and utilised through ground water as well as surface water. Minor Irrigation Schemes are not being recorded systematically in most cases as there schemes are implemented and monitored by individual farmers. Further, the norms being adopted for assessing the irrigation potential of Minor Irrigation Schemes are also not uniform. All the Ground Water and Surface Water Schemes having Cultivable Command Area (CCA) up to 2,000 hectares are included in the Minor Irrigation Sector.

Reservoir storage

The storage position in 68 important reservoirs in different parts of the country is monitored by the Central Water Commission. Against the designed live capacity at full reservoir levels of 129.4 Th. Million Cubic meters (TMC) in these reservoirs the total live storage was 95.3 TMC at the end of September, 1999 and 106.3 TMC at the same point of time last year. 

Irrigation potential 

The reassessed Ultimate Irrigation Potential (UIP) is 139.89 million hectare (M-ha ). This re-assessment has been done on the basis of the re-assessment of the potential of ground water from 40 M-ha  to 64.05 M-ha  and re-assessment of potential of surface minor irrigation from 15 M-ha  to 17.38 M-ha  Thus, there has been an increase of 26.39 M-ha  in the UIP of the country, which was 113.5 M-ha  Before re-assessment. At the inception of planning in India in 1951 the created irrigation potential was 22.60 M-ha  The irrigation potential created upto the end of Eighth Plan has increased to 89.56 M-ha  

Major and medium irrigation 

The Ultimate Irrigation Potential of the country from Major and Medium Irrigation projects has been assessed as 58.5 m ha. This includes projects with a culturable command area of more than two thousand hectare. The potential created up to the end of the Seventh Plan (1985-90) was 29.92 M-ha  and at the beginning of the Eighth Five Year Plan (1992-93) was 30.74 M-ha  

A target 5.09 M-ha  had been set for creation of additional potential during the Eighth Plan (1992-97) against which, the potential created was about 2.22 M-ha  Thus, at the end of the Eighth Plan, the cumulative irrigation potential created from major and Medium irrigation was about 32.96 M-ha  According to a provisional estimate, the irrigation potential through Major & Medium projects has reached the level of 34.5 M-ha  By 1998-99. 

Minor irrigation 

All ground water and surface water schemes having culturable command area (CCA) upto 2000 ha individually are classified as minor irrigation schemes. Ground water development is primarily done through individual and cooperative efforts of the farmers with the help of institutional finance and their own savings. Surface water minor irrigation schemes are generally funded from the public sector outlay. 

Some important terms

Culturable Command Area (CCA): The gross command area contains unfertile barren land, alkaline soil, local ponds, villages and other areas as habitation. These areas are called unculturable areas. The remaining area on which crops can be grown satisfactorily is known as cultivable command area (CCA). Culturable command area can further be divided into 2 categories 

1. Culturable cultivated area: It is the area in which crop is grown at a particular time or crop season.
2. Culturable uncultivated area: It is the area in which crop is not sown in a particular season.  

Gross command area (GCA): The total area lying between drainage boundaries which can be commanded or irrigated by a canal system. 

G.C.A = C.C.A + UNCULTURABLE AREA

Water Tanks: These are dug areas of lands for storing excess rain water. 

Outlet: This is a small structure which admits water from the distributing channel to a water course of field channel. Thus an outlet is a sort of head regulator for the field channel delivering water to the irrigation fields. 

Water logged area: An agricultural land is said to be waterlogged when its productivity or fertility is affected by high water table. The depth of water-table at which it tends to make the soil water-logged and harmful to the growth and subsistence of plant life depends upon the height of capillary fringe, which is the height to which water will rise due to capillary action. The height of capillary fringe is more for fine grained soil and less for coarse grained ones. 

Permanent wilting point: or the wilting coefficient is that water content at which plants can no longer extract sufficient water from the soil for its growth. A plant is considered to be permanently wilted when it will not regain its turbidity even after being placed in a saturated atmosphere where little or no consumptive water use occurs.