Irrigation in Tamilnadu

SOURCES OF IRRIGATION

Water is an important determinant factor of production of crops in agriculture sector. Intensive and extensive cultivation of land depend mainly on the availability of water. Medium and minor irrigation schemes are implemented in the state for augmenting the irrigation for agriculture. The various sources of irrigation are canals, tanks, tube wells, Open wells and springs.

Canals (Including System Tanks)

Canals are the major source of irrigation in Tamilnadu. As the system tanks get supply from a permanent storage like reservoirs, Dams etc. the area irrigated by this source is classified under canals. Canal Irrigation accounted for 27.4% of the net area irrigated by all sources in the state. The net area irrigated by canals including system tanks during the year under review was 800161 ha as against 753819 ha recording an increase of 46342 ha i.e. 6.1%. The net area irrigated by canals is the highest in Thiruvarur district with 147564 ha (18.7%) followed by Thanjavur district with 134634 ha (17.4%) and Nagapattinam district with 125014 ha (15.7%) of the total net area irrigated by canals in the State.

Tanks (Non-System Tanks Only)

The non-system tanks which are fed partly from their independent catchment areas and partly from the diversion of river water and jungle streams depend fully on rain. The net area irrigated by non-system tanks is 575352 ha registering an increase of 109997 ha or 23.6% over previous year. The extent of area irrigated by tanks during the year is the highest in Sivagangai district with 12.7% followed by Pudukkottai district with 12.5%, Villupuram district with 10.6% and Kancheepuram district with 10.6%.

Wells

Wells are the principal source of irrigation in Tamilnadu. During the year under review, open wells and tube-wells continued to be the principal sources of irrigation. The net area irrigated by open wells and tube-wells together accounted for 1536808 ha (about 52.6 % of the total net area irrigated showing an increase of 136414 ha i.e. 9.7%. The net area irrigated by wells during the year was the highest in Villupuram district with 11.41% of the total net area irrigated by the wells in the state followed by 7.5% in Coimbatore district and 7.0% in Thiruvannamalai district.

Gross Area Irrigated

Gross area irrigated includes the net area irrigated and the area irrigated more than once. Gross area irrigated by all sources is 3396700 ha registering an increase of 309592 ha or 10.0% over the previous year due to better rainfall.

Irrigation Intensity

The irrigation intensity (The ratio of gross area irrigated to net area irrigated) is 1.16 for the state. The ratio is significantly high in the districts of Kanyakumari (1.40), Thiruvallur (1.40) Thiruvannamalai (1.36), Kancheepuram (1.27), Tirunelveli (1.26) and Nagapattinam (1.22)

Irrigation in Tamil Nadu

Irrigation is the artificial application of water to land to assist in the growing of crops. It is one of the most important agricultural practices in Tamil Nadu, where it is used to irrigate over 60% of the state’s cultivated land.

There are a number of different irrigation systems in Tamil Nadu, including canals, tanks, wells, and pumps. Canals are the most common type of irrigation system in the state, and they are used to irrigate over 40% of the cultivated land. Tanks are also an important source of irrigation, and they are used to irrigate over 20% of the cultivated land. Wells and pumps are used to irrigate a smaller proportion of the cultivated land, but they are becoming increasingly important as the state’s Population grows and demand for water increases.

The history of irrigation in Tamil Nadu dates back to ancient times. The first irrigation systems in the state were built by the Chola dynasty in the 9th century AD. These systems were used to irrigate rice fields, and they were very successful in increasing agricultural production.

In the 16th century, the Vijayanagara Empire built a number of new irrigation systems in Tamil Nadu. These systems were even more successful than the Chola systems, and they helped to make Tamil Nadu one of the most prosperous agricultural regions in India.

The British East India Company took control of Tamil Nadu in the 18th century, and they continued to build new irrigation systems in the state. These systems were used to irrigate a wider range of crops, including sugarcane, Cotton, and tobacco.

After India gained independence in 1947, the government of India invested heavily in irrigation development in Tamil Nadu. This Investment has helped to increase the area of cultivated land and to improve the productivity of agriculture in the state.

There are a number of different types of irrigation in Tamil Nadu. The most common type is canal irrigation, which involves the use of canals to transport water from rivers or reservoirs to fields. Other types of irrigation include Tank Irrigation, well irrigation, and pump irrigation.

Canal irrigation is the most efficient type of irrigation, but it is also the most expensive to build and maintain. Tank irrigation is less expensive than canal irrigation, but it is also less efficient. Well irrigation is the least expensive type of irrigation, but it is also the least efficient. Pump irrigation is a relatively new type of irrigation that is becoming increasingly popular in Tamil Nadu. Pump irrigation is more efficient than well irrigation, but it is also more expensive.

Irrigation is essential for agriculture in Tamil Nadu. Without irrigation, it would not be possible to grow crops in the state’s dry Climate. Irrigation helps to increase crop yields and to improve the quality of agricultural products. It also helps to reduce the risk of crop failure due to drought.

Irrigation has a number of environmental impacts. One of the most significant impacts is waterlogging. Waterlogging occurs when water accumulates in the Soil, and it can lead to the loss of Soil fertility and the Growth of Weeds. Another environmental impact of irrigation is Salinization. Salinization occurs when salts accumulate in the soil, and it can make the soil unsuitable for agriculture.

Irrigation also has a number of social and economic impacts. One of the most significant social impacts is the displacement of people. When irrigation projects are built, people who live in the area are often displaced. This can lead to social unrest and conflict. Another social impact of irrigation is the loss of traditional livelihoods. When irrigation projects are built, people who rely on traditional methods of agriculture, such as rain-fed agriculture, are often displaced. This can lead to POVERTY and Unemployment.

Irrigation is a complex issue with a number of different impacts. It is important to consider all of the impacts of irrigation before making decisions about irrigation development.

The future of irrigation in Tamil Nadu is uncertain. The state’s population is growing rapidly, and this is putting a strain on the state’s water Resources. In addition, Climate Change is expected to make the state’s climate more extreme, and this could lead to more droughts and floods. These factors could make it difficult to maintain the state’s irrigation systems in the future.

Despite these challenges, there are a number of reasons to be optimistic about the future of irrigation in Tamil Nadu. The State Government is committed to investing in irrigation development, and there are a number of new technologies that could help to improve the efficiency of irrigation. In addition, the state’s farmers are becoming more aware of the importance of water conservation, and they are adopting new practices to reduce water use. With careful planning and management, it is possible to ensure that irrigation continues to play a vital role in agriculture in Tamil Nadu.

What is irrigation?

Irrigation is the artificial application of water to land to assist in the growing of crops.

What are the different types of irrigation?

There are many different types of irrigation, but some of the most common include:

Surface irrigation: This is the most common type of irrigation, and it involves spraying or flooding the land with water.
Drip Irrigation: This type of irrigation delivers water directly to the roots of Plants through a Network of small pipes.
Sprinkler Irrigation: This type of irrigation uses sprinklers to spray water over the land.
Micro-irrigation: This type of irrigation uses small amounts of water to irrigate plants directly at the root zone.

What are the benefits of irrigation?

Irrigation can provide many benefits, including:

Increased crop yields: Irrigation can help to increase crop yields by providing plants with the water they need to grow.
Improved crop quality: Irrigation can help to improve crop quality by reducing the risk of pests and diseases.
Reduced soil erosion: Irrigation can help to reduce soil erosion by keeping the soil moist.
Increased water efficiency: Irrigation can help to increase water efficiency by using water more effectively.

What are the challenges of irrigation?

Irrigation can also present some challenges, including:

Water scarcity: Irrigation can require a lot of water, which can be a challenge in areas where water is scarce.
Environmental impact: Irrigation can have a negative impact on the Environment, such as by reducing water levels in rivers and streams.
Social impact: Irrigation can have a negative impact on Society, such as by displacing people from their land.

What are the future trends in irrigation?

The future of irrigation is likely to be shaped by a number of factors, including:

The increasing demand for food: The world’s population is growing, and this will put increasing pressure on the world’s food supply. Irrigation will be needed to increase crop yields to meet this demand.
The need to conserve water: Water is a finite resource, and the need to conserve water will become increasingly important in the future. Irrigation methods that are more efficient in their use of water will be needed.
The need to reduce the environmental impact of irrigation: Irrigation can have a negative impact on the environment. New irrigation methods that are less harmful to the environment will be needed.
The need to address social issues: Irrigation can have a negative impact on society. New irrigation methods that are more socially acceptable will be needed.

Sure, here are some MCQs without mentioning the topic Irrigation in Tamilnadu:

Which of the following is not a type of irrigation?
(A) Canal irrigation
(B) Sprinkler irrigation
(C) Drip irrigation
(D) Flood irrigation
Which of the following is the most common type of irrigation in the world?
(A) Canal irrigation
(B) Sprinkler irrigation
(C) Drip irrigation
(D) Flood irrigation
Which of the following is the most efficient type of irrigation?
(A) Canal irrigation
(B) Sprinkler irrigation
(C) Drip irrigation
(D) Flood irrigation
Which of the following is the most environmentally friendly type of irrigation?
(A) Canal irrigation
(B) Sprinkler irrigation
(C) Drip irrigation
(D) Flood irrigation
Which of the following is the most expensive type of irrigation?
(A) Canal irrigation
(B) Sprinkler irrigation
(C) Drip irrigation
(D) Flood irrigation
Which of the following is the most labor-intensive type of irrigation?
(A) Canal irrigation
(B) Sprinkler irrigation
(C) Drip irrigation
(D) Flood irrigation
Which of the following is the most water-efficient type of irrigation?
(A) Canal irrigation
(B) Sprinkler irrigation
(C) Drip irrigation
(D) Flood irrigation
Which of the following is the most drought-tolerant type of irrigation?
(A) Canal irrigation
(B) Sprinkler irrigation
(C) Drip irrigation
(D) Flood irrigation
Which of the following is the most saline-tolerant type of irrigation?
(A) Canal irrigation
(B) Sprinkler irrigation
(C) Drip irrigation
(D) Flood irrigation
Which of the following is the most erosion-resistant type of irrigation?
(A) Canal irrigation
(B) Sprinkler irrigation
(C) Drip irrigation
(D) Flood irrigation