IRRIGATION EFFICIENCIES IN IRRIGATED AGRICULTURAL LAND

Abstract

Till Nhrch 1930, Rs.7510 crores was spent in major and medium projects and Rs.2493 crores were spent in minor projects. But the irrigation potential created was not fully utilised. Out of a total irrigation potential of 27.7 mha created by March 1980, 4.7 'mha remains unutilised, The lag in utilisation is still increasing and it is estimated by end of March 1936 it will be of the order of 7-8 mha. The cost of developing a new irrigation project is of the order of Rs.20000-25000 per ha. Lag in utilisation may be partly, due to non completion of distribution net work and partly due to mismanagement. Experience gained in past has shown that only 40/ of the water harvest by an irrigation project reaches to the field: If the irrigation management is made fr~ore efficient the water saved can be utilised to bring more areas under irrigated agriculture.