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IE Chapter 1 Introduction

The document provides an overview of irrigation engineering, including recommended textbooks and a detailed introduction to the functions, advantages, and disadvantages of irrigation. It discusses the status of irrigation development in Nepal, outlining historical phases of development and current statistics on irrigable land and irrigation facilities. Additionally, it highlights future challenges and problems in irrigation, as well as the principal crops grown in Nepal and their cropping seasons.

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Niyog Shrestha
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
38 views21 pages

IE Chapter 1 Introduction

The document provides an overview of irrigation engineering, including recommended textbooks and a detailed introduction to the functions, advantages, and disadvantages of irrigation. It discusses the status of irrigation development in Nepal, outlining historical phases of development and current statistics on irrigable land and irrigation facilities. Additionally, it highlights future challenges and problems in irrigation, as well as the principal crops grown in Nepal and their cropping seasons.

Uploaded by

Niyog Shrestha
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 21

1/21/2025

Irrigation Engineering
Bibek Thapa (M.Sc. Water Resources Engineering)
Senior Lecturer, Khwopa College of Engineering (TU)
Khwopa Engineering College (PU)
Contact: 9849220141

Bibek Thapa (KhCE/KhEC)

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Bibek Thapa (KhCE/KhEC)

Textbooks that I recommend:


➢ Arora, K.R. (2018). Irrigation, Water Power
and Water Resources Engineering. 5th
edition, Standard Publishers Distributors
➢ Garg, S. K. (2019). Irrigation Engineering
and Hydraulic Structures. 35th edition,
Khanna Publishers
➢ Punmia, B. C. & Basilal, P. B. (2021).
Irrigation and Water Power Engineering.
17th edition, Laxmi Publications

➢ Jha, P.C. & Devkota N. (2024). Irrigation and


Drainage Engineering. 3rd edition, Heritage
Publishers Heritage Publishers & Distributors

Bibek Thapa (KhCE/KhEC)

Chapter-01
Introduction
1. Introduction
1.1 Function, advantage and disadvantage of irrigation
1.2 Status of irrigation development in Nepal
1.3 Irrigation methods and their suitability: surface,
sub-surface, sprinkler, and drip
1.4 Principal crops in Nepal: Names, seasons, cropping
pattern, cropping intensity
1.5 Irrigation commanded areas: GCA, CCA, NCA
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Bibek Thapa (KhCE/KhEC)

1.1 Function, advantage and disadvantage of irrigation

Fig: Basic needs of plant for growth

➢ Without water crops cannot grow. On the other hand too much water is not good for many
crops either.
➢ The most well-known source of water for plant growth is rain water.
➢ There are two important situation to address:
• What to do if there is too much rain water? → remove excess water i.e. drainage
• What to do if there is too little rain water? → supply deficit water from some other
source i.e. irrigation
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Bibek Thapa (KhCE/KhEC)

1.1 Function, advantage and disadvantage of irrigation


✓ Irrigation may be defined as the science of artificial application of water to the land, in
accordance with the “crop water requirements” throughout the “crop period” for full-fledged
nourishment of the crops.

NOTE:
▪ Plant gets essential nutrients from the soil in a solution using the water drawn from the roots and
the water drawn is also used for photosynthesis.
▪ When the water is transpired by the leaves of the plants, it drags an unbroken stream of water up
the stem of the plant. The mineral in the solution are carried by the transpiration stream and get
distributed in various parts of the plants.
▪ Photosynthesis occurs in leaves where carbon dioxide and water in presence of light is converted
into sugar (food) and oxygen.
▪ But the quantity of water used in the metabolic process is very insignificant compared to
evapotranspiration. For example, maize uses only about 1% of water for metabolic process and
remaining 99% is lost in transpiration and evaporation.
▪ So the majority of the crop water requirement is used to fulfill the evapotranspiration needs of the
plants. Hence, evapotranspiration itself is usually referred to as crop water requirements.
Transpiration and photosynthesis video (click here)
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Bibek Thapa (KhCE/KhEC)

1.1 Function, advantage and disadvantage of irrigation


Functions of irrigation:
The main functions of irrigation are to:
i. supplement the crop water requirement when the water requirement cannot be fulfilled alone
by rainwater due to inadequate rainfall.
ii. increase the crop yield by creating favorable conditions i.e. softening soil and providing
necessary soil moisture, along with dissolved nutrients, for optimum growth of the crop.
iii. assure food security and then ensure public nutrition & public health.

Necessity of irrigation:
The necessity of irrigation can be summarized in the following points:
i. Inadequate rainfall
ii. Uneven temporal distribution of rainfall
iii. Growing crops round a year
iv. Growing superior cash crops

Bibek Thapa (KhCE/KhEC)

1.1 Function, advantage and disadvantage of irrigation


Advantages of irrigation:
The advantages of irrigation can listed as follows:
i. Increase in crop yield: Due to the controlled and timely supply of water to the crop, the yield is
increased.
ii. Protection from famine: In region where no irrigation facilities exist, sudden drought may
result in famine. The provision of irrigation can help in protection against famine.
iii. Cultivation of superior crops: The provision of irrigation makes it possible to grow cash crops
which yield high return such as sugar-cane, tobacco, cotton, superior quality of rice, etc.
iv. Elimination of mixed cropping: If irrigation facilities are not available in an area, the farmers
have a tendency to adopt mixed cropping whereby they grow two or more crops together in
the same field. The advantage of mixed cropping is that if the weather conditions are not
suitable for one of the crops, it may be suitable for the others and thus the farmer may get at
least some yield from the same field. But, mixed cropping has several drawbacks, specially
due to the fact that each crop has different requirements for field preparation, manuring,
watering etc. If provision of irrigation is available a single high yield crop can be grown.

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1.1 Function, advantage and disadvantage of irrigation


Advantages of irrigation:
The advantages of irrigation can listed as follows:
v. Economic growth: Due to irrigation facility, the yield of the crop increases and in turn
the value of land increases and due to the growing of cash crops, the farmers
become prosperous, and thereby their living standard is improved.
vi. Domestic and industrial water supply: The irrigation canals may also be utilised for
domestic and industrial water supply. Compared to the irrigation water need, the
water requirements for domestic and industrial uses is rather small and does not
affect total flow much.
vii. Improvements of transportation network: Almost all the irrigation channels are
provided with roads for the purpose of inspection and maintenance of canals. So the
coverage of road network of the region also increases.

Bibek Thapa (KhCE/KhEC)

1.1 Function, advantage and disadvantage of irrigation


Disadvantages and ill-effects of irrigation:
The disadvantages of irrigation can listed as follows:
i. Water-Logging: If the water table is near the ground surface, over-irrigation may raise
the water table. Raising of water level and constant saturation of root zone (known
as water logging) is harmful for growth of plants.
ii. Damp Climate: The command areas of the irrigation can become cold and damp
which is usually detrimental to human health. Damp environment can also lead to
breeding of mosquito and cause malaria.
iii. Loss of valuable land: Valuable land may get submerged when storage reservoir is
formed by constructing barrages or dams and some valuable land also may be lost
while constructing irrigation canals.

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Bibek Thapa (KhCE/KhEC)

1.2 Status of irrigation development in Nepal


History of Irrigation Development in Nepal
The phase wise development of irrigation can be discussed summarized as below:
1. Preliminary Phase or the period prior to planned development (before 1956)
2. Infrastructure development phase (1957-1970)
3. Intensive development phase (1971-1985)
4. Integrated development phase (1986 till date)

1. Preliminary Phase or the period prior to planned development (before 1956)


➢ Irrigation facilities constructed in the Kathmandu valley during Lichhvi and Malla period such as Raj Kulos
are the oldest facilites under preliminary phase.
➢ During the Rana regime, Chandra Nahar and Juddha Nahar were developed and other facilities developed
during this phase are Jagadishpur Irrigation System, Pardi Irrigation System, etc.
➢ In addition to these, the irrigation systems developed with the involvement of the state within this period
covered 6,228 ha.

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Bibek Thapa (KhCE/KhEC)

2. Infrastructure Development Phase (1957-1970)


➢ The infrastructure development phase got high priority since 1957, the milestone of the beginning of
periodic plan in Nepal
➢ Nepal developed different irrigation facilities with the cooperation from India and USA in this phase.
➢ During 1st five year plan, Tika Bhairab I.P, Mahadev Khola I.P were constructed. Danduwa I.P, Fewa Taal
I.P were constructed in 2nd five year plan and Koshi I.P, Chatra I.P were constructed during 3rd five year
plan. During the same phase Department of Small Irrigation was established.

3. Intensive Development Phase (1971-1985)


➢ During the 4th, 5th and 6th periodic plan, multilateral donor agencies like the World Bank and the ADB
came forward in aid of Nepal in irrigation development.
➢ These agencies focused their assistance to convey irrigation water to farmers’ fields with the canal
network development from the infrastructure already created, hence the name intensive development
phase.
➢ Development of Kankai and Mahakali-I Irrigation Projects, initiation of command area development in
Narayani Zone Irrigation System, etc were carried out with these agencies’ assistance. Sunsari-Morang I.P
and Bagmati I.P were also constructed during this phase.
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Bibek Thapa (KhCE/KhEC)

4. Integrated Development Phase (1986 till date)


➢ The was a shift in paradigm in irrigation development since 1986. Rather than focusing all the
priority in construction oriented development, new dimensions such as farmers’ participation
through organized association, rehabilitation of farmers’ canals, management transfer, etc have
been given more attention.
➢ All of the projects [Irrigation Management Transfer Project (IMTP), Irrigation Line of Credit ((ILC),
Irrigation Sector Project (IST), Irrigation Sector Support Project (ISSP),etc] during this phase have
specifically emphasized the participatory approach to irrigation development and management of
irrigation facilities.

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Bibek Thapa (KhCE/KhEC)

Status of irrigation development in Nepal


Statistics by the end of fiscal year 2079/80:
- Total Land area of Nepal: 1,47,51,600 ha updated area (1,47,516 sq.km.)
- Total agricultural land or cultivated land: 35,57,700 ha
Note:
- Total Irrigable land in Nepal: 25,36,000 ha 1 km2 = 100 hectares (ha)
- Land with irrigation facilities: 15,55,508 ha (1.55 million ha)
• Surface water irrigation: 1.02 million ha
• Ground water irrigation: 0.53 million ha
(Reference: Irrigation Master Plan 2019 (updated in 2024) and जलस्रोत तथा स िँचाइ वाषिक पुस्ततका,आ.ब. २०८०/८१ )

➢ But year-round irrigation is available only in 25% of the irrigable area.


(Reference: 16th Periodic Plan 2081/82 - 85/86 BS of National Planning Commission section 6.1)

➢ Most of the irrigated land is irrigated by surface water sources (1.02 million ha i.e. 65.74% of the irrigated area) and
rest by ground water resources (0.53 million ha .i.e. 34.11% of the irrigated area) and very small portion of the irrigable
area by non-conventional sources like lift and reservoir storage type irrigation (2,119 ha .i.e. 0.15% of the irrigated
area).
➢ Surface water irrigation is more preferable as it is cheap in operation due to gravity flow system.
➢ Irrigation with ground water resources are common in Terai but it is expensive due to high operating cost i.e. fuel and
repair expenses for pump operations.
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Bibek Thapa (KhCE/KhEC)

Status of irrigation development in Nepal


Future scope in Irrigation:
➢Significant portion of irrigable areas still remains without irrigation facilities. Year round
irrigation infrastructure development should be prioritized for optimum growth of crops
from cultivated land.
➢e"ldut tyf ;tx l;rf+O / aiff{sf] kfgL ;+sng tyf cGt/ hnfwf/ l;+rfOsf cfof]hgfx?sf ;fy} pko'Qm gofF k|ljlwx¿sf]
;d]t k|of]u u/L l;+rfO ;'ljwf k'/ofpg] / %) k|ltzt l;+lrt If]qdf jif}{el/ l;+rfO ;'ljwf pknAw u/fpg] sfo{ of]hgf cufl8
a9fOg]5 . (;|f]tM kGw|f} of]hgf -cfly{s jif{ @)*!.*@–@)*%.*^)

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Bibek Thapa (KhCE/KhEC)

Problems and Challenges in Irrigation


Problems
• unavailability of year-round irrigation as most irrigation facilities are based on the natural river
system (Run-off- River).
• poor operation and maintenance of existing irrigation systems.
• fragmentation of irrigable or potentially irrigable lands and unmanaged urbanization.
• lack of coordinated utilization of surface irrigation and underground irrigation.
• drying up of natural sources and springs.
• increasing pressure on available water sources which leads to less water for irrigation.
• low irrigation and water use efficiency.
• declining river bed levels due to over-exploitation of rivers-based construction materials.
• inadequate investment in large and multi-purpose projects.

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Problems and Challenges in Irrigation


Challenges
• ensuring regular maintenance of existing irrigation systems.
• constructing long-term projects to transfer water from large rivers and reservoir facilities for making
irrigation available round the year.
• protecting arable (agricultural) lands where irrigation facilities are already available or will be
available in the immediate future.
• implementing mitigation measures to manage risks posed by the adverse effects (drought and
flood) of climate change on water availability, and developing large irrigation resources with storage
facilities for multiple purposes to conserve available water resources environment.

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1.4 Principal crops in Nepal: Names, seasons, cropping Bibek Thapa (KhCE/KhEC)

pattern, cropping intensity


Cropping seasons in Nepal
(i) Summer crops (Kharif crops)
- These crops are sown at the beginning of the monsoon and harvested in autumn before Deepawali
(loosely 1st April to 30th September).
- Rice, maize, cotton, tobacco, groundnut, etc.

(ii) Winter crops (Rabi crops)


- These crops are sown in autumn and harvested in spring after Holi (loosely 1 st October to 31th
March).
- Wheat, potato, barley, gram, mustard, etc.

Note: However, these seasons are not defined by rigid dates and may extend 1 to 3 months on either side.

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1.4 Principal crops in Nepal: Names, seasons, cropping Bibek Thapa (KhCE/KhEC)

pattern, cropping intensity


Cropping pattern
- It is the spatial and temporal distribution of crops on agricultural land over a specific period of time,
typically a year.
- It involves the sequence, combination, and proportion of crops cultivated during a cropping year.

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1.4 Principal crops in Nepal: Names, seasons, cropping Bibek Thapa (KhCE/KhEC)

pattern, cropping intensity


Cropping intensity
- It is defined the ratio of net area sown by different crops to the total cultivable (cropped)
area in a year.
- For example the cultivated area is 120 ha, now in a particular year if rice has been cropped
in 90 ha and wheat is cultivated after rice in 80 ha only, then the annual cropping intensity
will be:
90/120*100 + 80/120*100 = 141.67%
- In Nepal cropping intensity varies from place to place. In Terai, the cropping intensity may
be about 200%. In mountainous area, the cropping intensity may be only 100% or less
(because only one crop may be grown in a year and not in whole area where cultivation is
generally carried out).

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Bibek Thapa (KhCE/KhEC)

1.5 Irrigation commanded areas: GCA, CCA, NCA


Gross Command Area (GCA)
- Total area bounded within the irrigation boundary of the project which can be economically irrigated without
considering the limitation of quality of water available.
- Includes cultivable and as well as uncultivable area like road, ponds, residential area etc.

Cultivable Command Area (CCA)


- It is the cultivable part of the gross command area, and includes all land of GCA on which cultivation is possible.
- It will thus include pastures and fallow lands which can be made cultivable.
- It does not include uncultivated part of the gross command area like populated areas, ponds, roads, reserved forests,
etc.

Net Command Area (NCA)


- It is the portion of the GCA that is actually cultivable and can be effectively irrigated.
- It is the command area that can be effectively cultivated and irrigated obtained by deducting areas of canal network,
supply ditches, bunds constructed in fields, etc.
NCA = CCA – Canal related structures – non irrigable areas

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1.4 Irrigation methods and their suitability: surface, sub-surface, sprinkler and drip

Natural Subsurface Irrigation

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Artificial Subsurface Irrigation

Wild Flooding

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Free Flooding

Border Flooding or Border Strip Method

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Check Flooding or Check Basin Method

Basin Flooding

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Furrow Method

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Contour Farming

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Sprinkler Irrigation

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Drip Irrigation

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Bibek Thapa (KhCE/KhEC)

Useful links (click/tap to open):


➢ Nepal Irrigation Management Information System (NIMIS)
➢ Farmer Managed Irrigation Systems (FMIS) of Nepal
➢ Agency Managed Irrigation Systems (FMIS) of Nepal
➢ Map from Nepal Irrigation Management Information System (NIMIS)
➢ Irrigation Master Plan 2019

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Bibek Thapa (KhCE/KhEC)

THANK YOU
FOR
YOUR ATTENTION

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