- Wells are main source of irrigation in the State, irrigating abou(84% the total net irrigated area in 2014-lD. The share of canal and tank irrigation is confined to mere 10 percent and 4 percent respectively. The tankane irrigation shows a declining trend over the years and the well irrigation shows a faster growth rate.
- The well irrigation which was 16 percent in 1955-56 was increased to 37% in 1985-86 and further increased to. 81% in 2015-16. The tank irrigation was three times higher than the well and canal irrigation in 1955-56. Over a period of time, it has declined significantly. In the year 1955-56 the percentage share of tank irrigation was 64% which declined to 28% in 1985-86 and further to 8% in 2012-13. This is a clear indicator of deliberate neglect of thousands of tanks in the Telangana area during the United Andhra Pradesh state.
- High dependency on wells has adverse effects on cost of cultivation and groundwater levels. Therefore there is a need to increase tank and canal irrigation sources in the State. Hence, the Government ofTelanganahas launched Mission Kakatiya’ to revive and rejuvenate tank irrigation.
- In 2018-19, the highest net area sown was reported in Nalgonda đistrict with 3.78 lakh hectares, followed by Khammam with 2.64 lakh hectares.
- Top ten districts account for almost 50% of the total net sown area.
- Three districts namely Nagarkurnool,Sangareddy, Adilabad along with Nalgonda and Khammam districts have net area sown of more than 2 lakh hectares in cach district.
- 8 districts viz. Siddipet, Suryapet, Vikarabad, Nizamabad, Nirmal, Rangareddy, Jogulamba Gadwal and Kamareddy have a net area sown between 1.5 – 2 lakh hectares.
- Another eleven districts viz,, Mahabubnagar, Warangal Rural, Kuuram Bheem, BhadradriKotagen Yadadri Bhuvanagiri, Jangaon, Mancherial, Karimnagar, Jagýtia, Narayanpet, Mahabhad reprtetam area sown between 1.0 and 1.5 lakh hectares.
8 districts viz Peddapalli, Wanaparthy, Rajanna Sireilla, Warangal Urban, Jayashankar Bhupalpally, Medak, Mulugu, Medchal- Malkajgiri have a net area sown less than 1 lakh.
Discuss the various methods of irrigation prevalent in Telangana. How do these methods address the unique geographical and climatic conditions of the state?
| Introduction | Irrigation means supply of water agriculture from canals, wells and tanks artificially or manually. Telangana has a variety of landscapes from hilly areas to flat plains. The climate is mostly dry with uneven rainfall. To support farming, Telangana uses different irrigation methods suited to its unique geography and climate. |
| Body | The main irrigation methods are canal irrigation, tank irrigation, and well (energized) irrigation
Canal Irrigation Canals are man-made channels that carry water from rivers to fields. There are two types: · Inundation Canals: These canals take water directly from rivers without any control structures. They work best during the rainy season. · Perennial Canals: These canals take water from rivers with the help of dams or barrages, ensuring a year-round supply. Major canals in Telangana include the Nagarjunasagar canal, SRSP canal, and Nizamsagar canal. Geographical and Climatic Suitability: · These canals are good for flat areas with fertile soil. · Dams help manage water flow, providing a steady supply even when river levels change. Percentage Contribution: · Canal irrigation made up 10.28% of the total irrigated area in Telangana. Well and Tube Well Irrigation Wells are holes dug into the ground to access groundwater. Tube wells are deeper and use pumps to bring water to the surface. Geographical and Climatic Suitability: · Well irrigation works well in areas with soils that allow water to seep in, like alluvial and black soils. · Tube wells are useful in areas where the water table is high. Percentage Contribution: · Well and tube well irrigation covered about 55% of the total irrigated area in Telangana. Tank Irrigation Tanks are reservoirs that store rainwater for later use in irrigation. Geographical and Climatic Suitability: · Tank irrigation is common in hilly and rocky areas where building canals or wells is difficult. · These tanks store rainwater, making it available for dry periods. Percentage Contribution: · Tank irrigation accounts for about 6% of the irrigated area in Telangana, |
| Conclusion | Telangana uses a mix of canal, well, and tank irrigation methods to meet its agricultural water needs. Each method is suited to different parts of the state, depending on the landscape and climate. These irrigation practices help make sure that farmers have enough water to grow their crops. As the state develops, combining new technologies with traditional methods will be important for sustainable water use and better farming outcomes. |
