FIELD IRRIGATION EFFICIENCY IN SALAWA COMMAND

Abstract

The country has created a large irrigation potential during the last three decades, but its utilisation has been far from satisfactory', The snags and problems of the irrigation systems are unique in nature and are location specifice Hence, on-farm studies are essential to identify the problems and take remedial measures'. The Salawa Command of the Upper Ganga Canal system was therefore selected for such studies'. For evaluating field irrigation efficiency three outlets were selected in the command of the Janjokhar minor. The seepage loss in the water-courses of the above outlets was determined by ponding method and conveyance loss was found out by inflow outflow method. The results show that seepage is not the governing factor of the high rate of conveyance loss'. Leakage, bank spillage are primarily responsible for it Hence the watercourses need improvement and better maintenance Field irrigation effi-ciency was also evaluated It was found to be very poor during first irrigation and much better during third irrigation. The Osrabandi system of operation which is supply based and not demand based is partly responsible for excess use of water by the farmers, All these aspects have been studied in detail and presented in this dissertation. Some improvements for the existing system have also been indicated'.