IRRIGATION ENGINEERING

What is irrigation engineering?

Irrigation is an artificial system of applying water to the soil. This system is very useful in areas where there is very little rainfall and during dry seasons. Irrigation is also used to prevent soil consolidation, suppress the growth of weeds in grain fields, and to protect plants against frost.

Irrigation system

What are the types of Irrigation method?

There are different types of irrigation –

1. Surface irrigation:-

It is an irrigation system in which gravity flow is applied to move water across the land in order to infiltrate and wet it. Surface irrigation is classified as border strip, basin or furrow irrigation. Surface irrigation is the most commonly used method of irrigation and represents as much as 95% of common irrigation activity today. The most advantages of surface irrigation that it is the most widely understood method of irrigation.

Surface Irrigation

It is especially handy in cases where there are water shortages. Surface irrigation is comparatively cheap to develop and requires a minimal investment on the part of the farmer.

The major disadvantage of the surface irrigation is that it tends to lead to water logging and soil salinity if there are no provisions for adequate drainage. Another disadvantage is that it tends to be labor-intensive.

2. Sprinkler or overhead irrigation:-

It is an irrigation system in which is distributed throughout the field by the aid of high-pressure sprinklers.

Sprinkler irrigation

The advantages of the sprinkler irrigation systems include their more even distribution of water when different soil types are found within one irrigation scheme. Sprinkler irrigation system is better than surface irrigation. This method of irrigation is best suitable for very light soils as deep percolation losses are avoided.

The disadvantage of the system is that under widely conditions and high temperatures, the water distribution and water application efficiencies are low.

3. Drip irrigation :-

It is an irrigation system in which is delivered at the root of the plant, drop by drop. It is also known as trickle irrigation. The main advantage of drip irrigation is that it is the most water-efficient method of irrigation.

Drip irrigation

The advantages are it is the most expensive and least aesthetically pleasing method because of all the plastic lines which have to be installed close to each other on the ground.

4. Inundation irrigation :-

In this method of irrigation, the soil is kept submerged and thoroughly flooded by the soil, when occasionally supplemented by nature rainfall or minor watering brings the crop to maturity.

What is the importance of Irrigation engineering?

a. Scanty Rainfall: Many areas in India receive very little rainfall. These areas need irrigation water, in such cases, where the water is available they constructed a dam and we can convey the water to such areas where there is a deficiency of water.

b. Non- Uniform Rainfall: The rainfall is not at all over India. In India, the monsoon season came just 1-2 months in the whole year. So the rainfall during the winter is very scanty and therefore rabi crops need the artificial supply of water by the irrigation works.

c. Practicing Crop Rotation: To bring in the rotation of the crops, i.e. if we want that the more a number of crops should be rotated then there, will be the need for irrigation water.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of irrigation?

Advantages:-

I. 1) It protects people from famine.

II. 2) It earns revenue for the government by imposing taxes.

III. 3) It supports inland navigation.

IV. 4) It increases the prosperity of farmers.

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Disadvantages :-

I. 1)It causes stagnant water for breeding place of mosquitoes,

II. 2) It causes dampness in surrounding areas affecting health and hygiene.

III. 3) It causes ground water table to rise, saturating constantly root zone of crops.

What does an Irrigation Engineering do?

In India, some areas are fertile ground some areas are very fertile grounds for planting crops. If a farmer grows crops in these areas, Natural nature is in changed of the watering. But for the rest of the world, the person in charge is the irrigation engineer.

As an irrigation engineer you create watering systems for challenging that situation. Mostly your main focus is agricultural crops and helping the farmer to produce crops all the year. And you also work on other major projects such as dams, canals or drainage system.

While a local farmer’s field might take several days a dam, a canal lining will most likely keep you hopping for a few years. The work on damming a river or building a canal across a piece of land is no easy fact, but you are up to the challenge.

With your computer Aided design software, such as AutoCAD, STADD PRO, 3D max, you analyze every segment of the project. You consider the slope of the ground consistency of soil, types of pump required, available of existing water supply, strength of materials and necessary of filters.

Conclusion:- India is an agricultural and population country. About 75% of people depend on agriculture. In order to grow food-crops and agriculture products in large quantities to feed the growing millions, intensive farming and the rotation of crops are essential. Extensive irrigation is, therefore, necessary for more production.

The rainfall of our country is dependent on the monsoons. Rainfall controls our agriculture. But the agriculture of our country is said to be, “ the gambling of the monsoon” as the monsoon rainfalls are uncertain, irregular and uneven or unequal.

Irrigation engineering is very much important for better development of the agricultural sector in terms of crop yield, protection from famine, generation of water supply, better improvement of each crop, etc.

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IRRIGATION ENGINEERING