What Is Irrigation?- Types, Methods and Importance of Irrigation

Definition of irrigation

It is artificial application of water to the agriculture field for the purpose of cultivation i.e. in accordance with crop requirement throughout the crop period.

Note- Crop period is the period from instant of sowing to the instant of harvesting.

Advantages of irrigation-

1- Direct advantages- 

a-Prevention from drought and famine condition.

b-Elimination of mixed cropping.

Mixed cropping means growing two or more crops simultaneously in the field.

Advantage of mixed cropping-

It is found economical and necessary when irrigation facilities are lacking i.e. if weather condition are not suitable for one of the crop they may be suitable for other crop and hence farmer will get some yield.

Sprinkler Irrigation

Disadvantage of mixed cropping-

Different crops requires different type of field preparation, watering and manuring. It will be difficult to satisfy need of both the crop simultaneously in the field, it result in low yield.

2-Indirect Advantages-

Power generation, flood control, transportation ( roads and inland navigation), ground water recharge, industrial and domestic water supply, employment generation.

Disadvantage of irrigation-

Water logging, intense irrigation results in cold and damp climate which causes spreading of disease like dengue, malaria, ground water pollution due to percolation of fertilizer.

Note- Bad effect of irrigation can be eliminated by economical scientific use of water.