OPTIMISATION STUDIES FOR CONJUNCTIVE. USE IN A CANAL COMMAND - A CASE STUDY

Abstract

Natural resources are the basis for the strength, growth and the very future of every nation.Water and land are the key resources and human has been pioneer in the use of these resources. Optimal use of available surface and ground water in any area will provide better utilization of available resources and more benefits in the area. This study describes L.P based Optimization model to optimize land and water resources of a study area for sustainable agricultural development. The lower Gandak-Baya-lower Burhi Gandak composite river basin includes about 6.75lakh ha. geographical area and covers the districts of Muzaffarpur,Vaishali, Samastipur, Khagaria, and Begusarai in North Bihar.In this river basin, surface irrigation is provided by the Tirhut Main Canal(T.M.C.) and its distribution system of the Gandak Project. This study describes the case study of Vaishali Branch Canal command area. V.B.C. takes —off from T.M.C. at553.89 RD. It has a C.C.A. of 63289 ha. covering the blocks of Vaishali, Lalganj and Hajipur (partly) of Vaishali district and Saraiya, Paroo and Sahabganj of Muzaffarpur District and also some part of KuGj i block of Motihari District. The major portion ofrainwater occurs during monsoon period (i e, June, July, August and September) in this area. In other months of the year rainfall occurs very less which can not fulfill the crop water requirement. Therefore shortage of rainwater during the non-monsoon period causes a strong need of tapping of ground water for agricultural purposes.....