Irrigation is the artificial application of water to land to supplement rainfall and ensure adequate water for plant growth, especially in agriculture. It is crucial for food production, allowing crops to grow in arid regions, offset dry spells, and ensure stable yields even when natural rainfall is inconsistent or insufficient. Water for irrigation is typically supplied through manmade systems like pipes, ditches, or hoses, sourced from lakes, rivers, wells, or reservoirs.Â
Key aspects of irrigation
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- Purpose: To provide water when rainfall is inadequate, ensuring crop growth and a stable food supply. It can also extend the growing season and make it feasible to use other agricultural inputs like fertilizer and high-yield crop varieties.
- Water sources: Water is sourced from natural sources like lakes, rivers, and wells and then moved to the fields.
- Methods: Common irrigation methods include surface irrigation, sprinkler irrigation, and drip irrigation.
- Benefits: Irrigation can lead to higher crop yields and more stable production. Modern methods like drip irrigation can be highly efficient by delivering water directly to the root zone, which can save water by reducing deep percolation, surface runoff, and evaporation.
- Challenges: Some methods can be labor-intensive, require significant land preparation, or are sensitive to wind. Improper design or use can lead to poor efficiency
