Water Management in Horticultural Crops

Perspective irrigation development

• India is the seventh largest country of the world with a geographical area of 328 million ha supporting a sizeable population of more than 1000 million.
  
• Population of the country in the year 2020 A.D. is likely to be 1500 million, for which the requirement of food grains will be double the present production.
  
• Irrigation water is the most important input for increased agricultural production.
  
• During the last 60 years, there is an increase in the production of food grains from 55 million tonnes in 1950-51 to 240 million tonnes.
  
• Based on present assessment, ultimate irrigation potential of 140million ha, 58.5 million ha from MMI, 17.4 million ha from surface water and 64 million ha from groundwater.