Traditional vs modern irrigation methods
- Surface irrigation: Traditional gravity-fed methods including flood irrigation, furrow irrigation, and basin irrigation. Although low in capital cost, they exhibit high water loss due to evaporation and deep percolation.
- Drip irrigation: Micro-irrigation system delivering water and dissolved nutrients directly to crop root zones drop-by-drop through emitters, achieving over 90% water-use efficiency.
- Sprinkler irrigation: Pressurized system spraying water into the air through nozzles, creating simulated rainfall well-suited for undulating terrain, pulses, oilseeds, and cereals.
Benefits of efficient water management
Precision irrigation optimizes soil moisture, prevents waterlogging, protects root zone aeration, and prevents secondary soil salinization. Integrating fertigation through drip networks allows farmers to apply soluble fertilizers directly to roots, reducing input wastage and leaching losses.
Government support under PMKSY
The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) Per Drop More Crop scheme provides capital subsidies to farmers for installing drip and sprinkler irrigation systems through state agriculture and horticulture departments.
Official source
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Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India ↗Related on KisanPe
Common questions
What is the definition of irrigation?
Irrigation is the artificial application of controlled amounts of water to agricultural soil at regular intervals to nourish growing crops.
Why is drip irrigation considered the most efficient method?
Drip systems deliver water directly to the root zone at low pressure, minimizing evaporation, surface runoff, and weed proliferation.
What government scheme provides subsidies for drip irrigation?
The Per Drop More Crop component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) provides subsidies for micro-irrigation systems.
General guidance, not personal advice. For your farm, ask your local Krishi Vigyan Kendra or agriculture officer.
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