6. Irrigation

The supply of waters is through canals, reservoirs, wells, tube wells etc. Agricultural practices are rain-dependent, and the growth of crops depends on timely monsoons and sufficient rainfall during the growing season.

 

Thus, poor monsoons cause crop failure. Ensuring that water will be supplied to crops at the right stages, and required amounts, the expected yields of crop can be increased.

 

Irrigation methods are adopted, especially in areas of low rainfall, to ensure the proper growth of crops. Farmers depend on various natural water resources like wells, canals, rivers and tanks.

Wells are constructed when groundwater is present for irrigation. \(Two\) types of wells are used:

Canals are elaborate and extensive methods that receive water from reservoirs like dams or rivers. The main canal is divided into branch canals which spreads to irrigate the fields.

They are used where canals are insufficient or irregular due to inadequate reservoir release. It is used to draw water directly from the rivers for irrigational purposes.

 

Small storage reservoirs that stores and supplies water in small fields. These are initiatives for increasing the water available for agriculture. It includes rainwater harvesting and watershed management.

 

Rainwater harvesting involves the collection of rainwater by digging tunnels in the ground. The water percolates and increase the groundwater levels, and maintains water table.

 

 

In watershed management, small check-dams are built to increase the groundwater levels. The check-damsstop the rainwater from flowing away and thus reduce soil erosion.