Micro-irrigation
Topic: Water Resources of India: Availability, Use and Conservation · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
Micro-irrigation means watering crops in small, controlled amounts close to the roots, instead of flooding the whole field. Its two main types are drip irrigation, where pipes and emitters drip water onto the roots, and sprinkler irrigation, where nozzles spray water like rain. Less water is lost to evaporation and runoff, so micro-irrigation saves about 30-50% of water. The government promotes it under the Per Drop More Crop part of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (2015-16).
Example
Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh lead India in micro-irrigation (verify current). Drip systems are common in their sugarcane, cotton and orchard crops.
Don't confuse with
- Flood irrigation: the traditional method of letting water flow over the whole field from canals or tubewells. It wastes much more water than micro-irrigation.
Related concepts
- Sectoral water use
- Need for irrigation in India
- Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana
- Drip irrigation
- Sprinkler irrigation
- Virtual water