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Types of Irrigation Systems in India: Traditional and Modern Methods

Published on: 22-Jan-2025
Updated on: 22-Jan-2025

A human can spend 2 to 3 days without food, but spending even 1 day without water is one of the toughest challenges for humans as we know that “jal hi jeevan hai”. This means that water is the most essential element for survival.

About 75% of the human body consists of water and 90% of plant life is dependable on water. Humans know when they feel thirsty and when to drink water, but plants are in dire need of proper irrigation to survive.

Plants provide us with food and plants get their food from sun and water, as we know India is placed in second place in terms of agriculture and relies heavily on effective irrigation systems to sustain its vibrant farming ecosystem. The Nation's food security depends on the irrigation system of India. Let's understand the different watering system

What is Irrigation?

Irrigation is the artificial application of water to the soil or agricultural field. It is the replacement or supplementation of rainwater with another source of water. It is used in dry areas and during periods of inadequate rainfall.

The main purpose of irrigation is to grow plants, protect soil from soil erosion, and also help to sustain water use and reduce water loss. To choose the right irrigation system you will need to have a knowledge of soil, equipment, plant species, and land formation. 

There are different types of irrigation methods available in India that support water sustainability and help farmers irrigate fields easily and in an affordable manner.

Types of Irrigation in India

The practice of farming has been going on since ancient times. There are many changes in the methods of crop growing and irrigation such as traditional irrigation methods and advanced irrigation methods.

1. Traditional irrigation method 

  • This method of irrigation is used in ancient times for water application in a crop land that simply relies on tools, natural water flow, and manual labor. 
  • This system is cost-effective but less efficient in water usage because it requires human or animal labor to function.

Here is the list of the traditional methods of irrigation:

  1. Check Basin Method
  2. Furrow Irrigation Method
  3. Manual Irrigation Method
  4. Canal Irrigation Method

Let's understand all the methods more briefly

a) Check basin method

  • It is a type of surface irrigation method that is commonly used in flat lands.
  • In this method, fields are divided into small shaped basins with the help of bunds, and water is supplied to each basin through a network of channels.
  • Every field is divided based on water capacity and drains are connected through channels where excess water is drained naturally or collected in channels for reuse.
  • It prevents soil erosion as the rainwater stays in the basin. This method can efficiently irrigate a large area.

b) Furrow Irrigation Method

  • It is a method of furrows or spaced trenches that is formed along the sides of the rows and the water flows between two rows of plants. It is mainly used for growing raw plants like cotton corn, sugarcane, and many more.
  • Water is supplied to each follow through the gravity flow with the help of pumps. If the furrow is filled, there is no need to provide water again.
  • It is the controlled method of flowing water that helps to prevent overflow or uneven distribution. Along with it, it is not cost-effective as it requires simple equipment to be practiced.

c) Manual Irrigation

  • Small-scale farmers are used to practicing this type of old irrigation method for watering crops, gardens, or small-scale farms. It involves using human labor and simple tools to transport and apply water directly to plants.
  • Water is collected by natural resources such as rivers, ponds, and wells and poured directly at the base of plants or over the soil surface to reach the root zone with the help of tools like big buckets or containers that carry water.
  • This method is easy to practice as it does not require technical knowledge. And also is suitable for all regions that do not require electricity or expensive tools.

d) Canal irrigation method

  • This method is totally dependent on natural resources that require man-made canals for transporting water from dams or rivers to various people. It is an artificial channel of supplying water for irrigation.
  • They are typically built using materials like concrete, stone, brick, or flexible membranes to address concerns regarding durability, such as seepage and erosion. 

Two types of canals are:

  • Perennial canals: These canals have water throughout the year because it depends on reservoirs or dams for a consistent water supply.
  • Inundation Canal Irrigation: these canals do not supply water throughout the year as it is a seasonal water body that functions only in the rainy season.

Also Read: Types of Soil in India

2. Advanced irrigation method

Using advanced technology for irrigating the land without using labor and simple tools is called an advanced form of irrigation. These methods are designed to address challenges like water scarcity, labor shortages, and the need for precision in agriculture. Here is the list of advanced irrigation methods:

  • Drip Irrigation
  • Sprinkle Irrigation
  • Subsurface Irrigation
  • Automated Irrigation

Let's elaborate on all the types of modern irrigation method

a) Drip Irrigation

  • In this method, narrow pipes are laid on the fields and drip through small holes (emitters) directly at the place of plant roots for supplying water, particularly to the plants.
  • Water distribution is highly uniform and controlled by the output of each nozzle, which reduces the maximum water wastage due to evaporation or runoff.
  • It provides direct hydration to the plants and helps moisturize the soil along with this it inhibits weed growth.

b) Sprinkler irrigation

  • Sprinkle irrigation is also known as man-made rainfall as the water is sprayed over crops like rainfall using sprinklers.
  • This method helps to protect plants/crops from extreme frost or temperature and is useful for sandy and uneven lands.

Two types of sprinkler irrigation are:

  • Central pivot systems: It is also famous for the name water-wheel and circle irrigation as Sprinklers rotate around a central pivot.
  • Lateral move method: Water is supplied at one end using a large hose. Sprinklers move linearly across the field.

c) Subsurface irrigation 

  • This method is a low-pressure method that can reduce water use by 25% compared to above-ground sprinkler irrigation and works well in irregularly shaped fields and on slopes.
  • Plastic drip tubes or trickle emission devices are buried below the soil surface within plant root zones, for running water that is needed in the field.
  • It helps in keeping foliage dry and avoids excess weed growth and fungal disease.

d) Auto-mated Irrigation

  • This method is the smartest method of irrigation that supports sustainability by controlling the water flow by investing in the need for water in the field with the help of advanced technologies.
  • It helps to cut off the flow of water from one irrigation area — either a bay or a section of channel, and direct the water to another area.
  • It completely triggers the irrigation when moisture levels drop as it is fully controlled by the sensors, timers, or software to manage irrigation schedules.