Topic 20: Food Management

08/04/2020

20.4) The Indus Basin Irrigation System

Background

The source of the Indus River is high in the Tibetan Plateau. From there is flows roughly
north to south through the length of Pakistan to reach the Arabian Sea. The Indus Basin
covers about one million km2, it includes parts of India, Afghanistan and China.

What is the IBIS?

The Indus River is an important water source for two NEEs, these are India and
Pakistan. In 1960 India gained control of the eastern rivers however Pakistan gained
control of the Indus and Western Tributaries.

The IBIS is the largest continuous irrigation scheme in the world. it began as a system of
irrigation canals during the British rule of the area + it’s developed ever since. Over
64,000km of smaller canals distribute water across the countryside. In total, over
1.6million km of ditches and streams provide irrigation for Pakistan’s agricultural land.

What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of the IBIS?

Advantages Disadvantages

 Improves food security for  Certain farmers take an unfair

Pakistan making 40% more land
available for cultivation.
 Over 14million hectares of land is
now irrigated.
 Fruit crop yield has increased by
around 150%.
 Diets have improved as a greater
range of products are available.
 Fish farming in storage reservoirs
provides a source of protein.
 Agriculture-based industries have
developed providing value-added
share of water, depriving other
downstream.
 High water levels have led to
waterlogging in places.
 High costs to maintain reservoir
capacity, barrages and canals.
 Population growth will further
increase the demand for water in
the future.
 High summer temperatures result
in high water loss via evaporation.
 Topic 20: Food Management

08/04/2020

goods for export.