Necessity of Irrigation

• Uncertainty of monsoon rainfall:
  80% of rainfall in India is received during monsoon period. Monsoon     rainfall is very uncertain. So irrigation is very important to supply water to plants       also and when needed.

• Uneven distribution of rainfall:
  To compensate the uneven distribution in an area, supplemental irrigation is needed.

• Effect of winter rainfall (N India)/ Effect of SWM in S. India:
  Supplemental irrigation is inevitable in the regions due to poor rainfall.

• Cultivation of high yielding crops:
  High yielding crops produce heavy biomass and economic yield. Higher biomass need more water for its production. Hence supplementation of water as irrigation is essential.

• Difference in water holding capacity of the soil:
  Sandy soil - low WHC – frequent irrigation. Clay soil - high WHC - frequency is less.