B.E (Civil), M.E (Hydraulics & Irrigation) Assistant Director Engineering Water Sector Improvement Project Phase-I, SIDA. Introduction:
Irrigation is an artificial application of
water to the soil usually for assisting in growing crops. In crop production it is mainly used in dry areas and in periods of rainfall shortfalls, but also to protect plants against frost. Introduction (continue…)
Additionally irrigation helps to
suppress weed growing in rice fields. In contrast, agriculture that relies only on direct rainfall is referred to as rain-fed farming. Irrigation is often studied together with drainage, which is the natural or artificial removal of surface and sub-surface water from a given area. Introduction (continue..)
Irrigation is also a term used in
the Medical/Dental fields and refers to flushing and washing out anything with water or another liquid. Irrigation in a field in New Jersey in the United States Necessity:
Pakistan is basically an agricultural
country. water resources development provides the infrastructure for the growth economy of the country and the large investment has been made the purpose in our country. water is normally supplied to the plant by nature through rains. Necessity (continue…) It is an essential to supply the optimum quantity of water, and to maintain correct timing of water Irrigation is an art and application of water to soil for crop production constructing headworks across a river. Necessity (continue…) Our country also needs irrigation to pace with of its huge population which has crossed one billion mark in this millennium. This is possible only through a systematic irrigation system by collecting water during the periods of excess rainfall and to release it to crop as and when it is needed Necessity (continue) Thus the necessity of irrigation can be summarized in the following four points. 1.less rainfall 2.non-uniform rainfall 3.commercial crops with additional water 4.controlled water supply SCOPE OF IRRIGATION Irrigation is not limited to the application of water to the soil. It deals with all aspects and problems extending from the watershed to the agriculture farms. It also deals with design and construction of all works, such as dams, weirs, head regulators etc SCOPE OF IRRIGATION Most commercial and residential system are “in ground” system, which means that everything is buried in the ground. With the pipes, sprinklers, and irrigation valves being hidden, it makes for a cleaner, SCOPE OF IRRIGATION an irrigation engineer also required to have the knowledge of cultivating various crops, their maturing and protection from pests. Sources of irrigation water can be groundwater extracted from springs or by using wells. SCOPE OF IRRIGATION
Scope of irrigation can be divided
into two heads: 1.Engineering aspects 2.Agricultural aspects Engineering aspects
1.storage, diversion, or lifting of water
2.conveyance of water to the agricultural fields 3.application of water to the agricultural fields. 4.drainage and relieving water logging 5.development of water power Agricultural aspects Following points: Proper depth of water necessary in single application of water for various crops. Distribution of water uniformly and periodically. Capacities of different soils for irrigation water and flow of water in soils. Agricultural aspects A multipurpose river valley project also includes Irrigation Water supply for public health Soil conservation Inland navigation Fish culture BENEFITS OF IRRGATION All the irrigation schemes are designed that they increase the food production of the country. Apart increase in the food, there are many indirect benefits are advantage of irrigation increase in food production protection from famine cultivation of cash crops BENEFITS OF IRRGATION Addition to the wealth of the country Increase in porosity of people Generation of hydroelectric power Domestic and industrial water supply Inland navigation Improvement of communication BENEFITS OF IRRGATION Canal plantations Improvements in the ground water storage Aid in civilization General development of the country