Water Supply, Irrigation and Drainage: Irrigation - Form 1 Agriculture Notes

• Irrigation
  • Factors to Consider in Identifying and Assessing the Potential of Land for Irrigation Development
  • Types of Irrigation

Irrigation

- It is the artificial application of water to crops in dry areas or where water is not enough.

- It is one of the methods of land reclamation in case of arid and semi arid areas.

Factors to Consider in Identifying and Assessing the Potential of Land for Irrigation Development

• Topography of the land
• Soil type
• Type of crop to be grown
• Water availability
• Human factors such as skill, capital availability and economic activities.

Types of Irrigation

Surface irrigation:

• This includes flood irrigation and basin irrigation.
• It is used in flat areas.
• The problem with this method is loss of water through seepage.
• It also increases soil salinity.

Sub-surface Irrigation:

• This involves the use of porous pipes or perforated pipes.
• It is used in slopy areas and where water is inadequate.

Overhead or Sprinkler Irrigation:

• It is used in any area which is not steep.

Drip or Trickle Irrigation:

• It is used where water is little and in relatively sloppy and flat areas.