Intro To Water Management and Irrigation

What is Water Management?
• Water is a basic necessity which considered as the most

critical resource for sustainable agricultural development
worldwide.
• At a global level, 70% of water is used for agriculture, 25%
for industry, and only 6% for domestic use. However, this
varies in different countries and industrialized countries
use a greater percentage for industry.
• Take note, that is just the fresh water. The ratio of
freshwater to saline water is 3:97.
What is Water Management?
•Water management, on the other hand, is the
activity of planning, developing, distributing and
optimum use of water resources. It is the
management of water resources for the coming
generations.
• Water management is also essential for crop
production and sustainable agriculture.
Water Management
“The integrated process of intake, conveyance,
regulation, measurement, distribution, application
and use of irrigation water and drainage of excess
water with proper amount and at right time for the
purpose of increasing crop production and water
economy in conjunction with improved agricultural
practices”
2 Major Components of Water
Management
1. Irrigation - is the artificial application of
water to the soil essential for plants growth.
2. Drainage - is the removal of excess water

from the field.
Why to Manage the Water?
• Non-uniform distribution of water
around the year;
• Different water regime (level) of
crops;
• Uncertainty of rainfall;
• Intensive cropping to meet the food
requirements; and
• Cultivation of high yielding varieties
require more water.
Practices of Water Management
Practices of Water Management
1. On Farm Water Management
 Watercourse improvement
 High efficiency irrigation system
2. Soil Management
 Laser land leveling
 Mulching
 Use of organic matter
3. Crop Management
 Sowing method
 Weed control
 Suitable plant species
Ways to Save Water
Some of the ways to save water are as follows :
 Water harvesting
2 major processes:
1. Rainwater harvesting
2. Groundwater harvesting
 Drip irrigation
 Rainwater harvesting
 Water-wise habits
 Sustainable Water Management
What is Irrigation?
• Irrigation is the process of applying water to the crops artificially to
fulfil their water requirements.
• It is used to assist in the growing of agricultural crops, maintenance of
landscapes, and revegetation of disturbed soils in dry areas and during
periods of inadequate rainfall.
• This technique is especially important in areas that receive little rain or
irregular rainfall.
• Irrigation is also essentially means the watering of land to make it
ready for agricultural purposes. An irrigation system is the supplying of
water via artificial canals and channels to growing plants and crops in
a field.
Types of Irrigation
The following are the different types of irrigation practised for
improving crop yield. This is absolutely based on the different
types of soils, climates, crops and resources.
1. Surface Irrigation 5. Centre Pivot Irrigation

2. Localized irrigation 6. Sub-irrigation
3. Sprinkler irrigation 7. Manual Irrigation
4. Drip Irrigation
Types of Irrigation
1. Surface Irrigation 2. Localized Irrigation
 Surface irrigation (gravity) system is a
cheap effective way to provide water for a  Localized irrigation can be applied as
smaller sized crop area. The basic system a small discharge to each plant or
is very simple consisting of an elevated adjacent to it. Water is distributed
reservoir with a pipe coming out the under low pressure through a piped
bottom that feeds water into a basic canal network.
or drip irrigation system.  In this system, water is applied to
In this system, no irrigation pump is each plant through a network of
involved. Here, water is distributed across pipes under low pressure.
the land by gravity.
Types of Irrigation
3. Sprinkler Irrigation 4. Drip Irrigation
Sprinkler Irrigation is the method of  Drip irrigation (known as trickle irrigation
applying water to the soil surface in the or micro irrigation) is an irrigation method
form of a spray which is somewhat that saves water and fertilizer by allowing
similar to rain.
water to drip slowly to the roots of plants,
Sprinklers have been used on all types either onto the soil surface or directly onto
of soils on lands of different the root zone, through a network of valves,
topography and slopes, and for many pipes, tubing, and emitters.
crops.
In Drip system, water supply is done drop
Water is distributed from a central by drop exactly at roots using a hose or pipe.
location by overhead high-pressure This method can also be used in regions
sprinklers or from sprinklers from the
where water availability is less.
moving platform.
Types of Irrigation
5. Centre Pivot Irrigation 6. Sub-Irrigation
Center Pivot Irrigation is a form of  Subsurface Irrigation or simply
sprinkler irrigation consisting of several sub irrigation is the practice of
segments of pipe (usually galvanized
applying water to soils directly
steel or aluminum) joined together and
supported by trusses. under the surface.
 Water is distributed through a
These systems are common in parts of
system of pumping stations gates,
the United States where terrain is flat.
ditches and canals by raising the
In this, the water is distributed by a water table.
sprinkler system moving in a circular
pattern.
Types of Irrigation
7. Manual Irrigation
Manual irrigation involves watering cans, buckets, garden hoses,
inverted soda bottles, etc. Although it doesn’t fit with large-scale
agriculture, it is still widely used in gardens and small-scale
agriculture in underdeveloped countries.
This a labour intensive and time-consuming system of irrigation.
Here, the water is distributed through watering cans by manual
labour.
Benefits of Irrigation Necessity of Irrigation Effects of Irrigation
 Increase in crop yield

 Protection from famine Insufficient rainfall
 Cultivation of superior Uneven distribution of
Rising of water table
crops rainfall
Formation of marshy
 Elimination of mixed Improvement of
land
cropping perennial crop
Dampness in weather
 Economic development Development of
Loss of valuable lands
 Hydro power generation agriculture in desert
 Domestic and industrial area
water supply
Importance of Irrigation
Irrigation is necessary for agriculture and farming due to the following reasons:
• Plants absorb minerals and nutrients from the soil via their roots.
• Irrigation provides the moisture that is crucial during the germination phase of
the plant’s life cycle.
• Irrigation also makes the soil more fertile by adding moisture to it and easier to
plough.
• Proper irrigation also increases yield from the farm.
• The productivity on irrigated land is higher as compared to the un-irrigated land.
• Irrigation has helped to bring most of the fallow land under cultivation.
• Irrigation increases the availability of water supply, which in turn increases the
income of the farmers.
Role of Water Management in Agricultural Development
• To improve crop productivity;
• To minimize damage to life and property and to maximize efficient
beneficial use;
• To increased the land and water productivity of rainfed farming systems;
• Seeks to allocate water on an equitable basis to satisfy all uses and
demands; and
• To improve water use efficiency and its sustainability by achieving
through:
(i) an increased in marketable crop yield per unit of water transpired
through irrigation,
(ii)a decrease in water losses through soil evaporation that could
otherwise be used by plants for their growth, and
(iii) an increase in soil water storage within the plant rooting zone
through better soil and water management practices at farm and
area-wide (catchment) scales.
Role of Irrigation in Agricultural Development
• To effectively controlled the droughts and famines with the help of
irrigation;
• To secure uninterrupted agriculture using the proper irrigation
systems;
• Bringing more land under cultivation;
• For irrigation systems, they help agricultural crop growth, landscape
maintenance, and reduce the effect of inadequate rainfall;
• To contributes to the economic growth and poverty reduction;
• To prioritize the sustainable use of irrigation water for agriculture in
arid areas;
Role of Irrigation in Agricultural Development
• Reduces instability in output levels: Irrigation helps in stabilising
the output and yield levels. It also plays a protective role during
drought years; and
• Additionally, irrigation also has few roles in crop production,
which includes:
(i) Protecting plants against frost
(ii)Suppressing weed growing in grain fields
Thank You!

Intro To Water Management and Irrigation

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Intro To Water Management and Irrigation

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Intro To Water Management and Irrigation

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

What is Water Management?

• Water is a basic necessity which considered as the most

2. Drainage - is the removal of excess water

1. Surface Irrigation 5. Centre Pivot Irrigation

 Increase in crop yield

You might also like