WATER COURSE IMPROVEMENT ALTERNATIVES

Abstract

To meet the ever increasing demand of food to feed the growing population productivity of irrigation water is to be increased by scientific and efficient water use manage-ment. Existing irrigation systems are becoming deficient in supply of irrigation water primarily because of tremendous increase in cropping pattern as compared to those envisaged during project formulation stage. This has resulted in in-equitable distribution of water and the farmers in tail rea-ches are the maximum sufferers. The losses in conveyance sys-tem are appreciably high and by and large it has been found that conveyance losses increases from head to tail. Reported losses in water course usually constructed and maintained by the farmers are of the order of 20-25 percent of the amount of water released from canal head, If the water courses are improved appreciable c,uantity of water can be saved and used for more productive use..