- In the next 35-45- years, world food production will need to double to meet the demands of increased population.
- 90% of this increased food production will have to come from existing lands.
- 70% of this increased food production will have to come from irrigated land
Purposes of Irrigation
- Providing insurance against short duration droughts
- Reducing the hazard of frost (increase the temperature of the plant)
- Reducing the temperature during hot spells
- Washing or diluting salts in the soil Softening tillage pans and clods
- Delaying bud formation by evaporative cooling
- Promoting the function of some micro organisms
Objectives of irrigation
- To Supply Water Partially or Totally for Crop Need
- To Cool both the Soil and the Plant
- To Leach Excess Salts
- To improve Groundwater storage
- To Facilitate continuous cropping
- To Enhance Fertilizer Application- Fertigation
Benefits of Irrigation
- Increase in Crop Yield
- Protection from famine
- Cultivation of superior crops
- Elimination of mixed cropping:
- Economic development
- Hydro power generation
- Domestic and industrial water supply: