Sprinkler Irrigation – An Asset in Water Scarce

and Undulating Areas

¹M. SHIVA SHANKAR, ²A.V. RAMANJANEYULU, 3T.L. NEELIMA AND 4ANUP DAS

Publication year:2018
Journal name: An Asset in Water Scarce and Undulating Area

Irrigation is the backbone of agriculture, irrespective of size of holding. Tremendous efforts have been
made in the past to increase the irrigated area through construction of large number of surface irrigation
projects and through ground water resources since the first five year plan. As a result, the irrigated area
has increased by almost 250 % form what it was in 1950-51. At present, out of 139.9 M ha of net sown
area, about 45.2% (63.2 Mha) is irrigated and remaining 54.8% area is sown under rainfed condition
(MoA, 2009-10). With the existing practices, only 40% water use efficiency can be achieved.
*types of sprinkling systems:
Table 1. The crops which can be raised successfully under sprinkler
Based on precipitation rates Cereals Flowers Oilseeds Vegetables

● Low volume sprinkler Maize Chrysanthemum Groundnut Onion

● Medium volume sprinkler Sorghum Carnation Mustard Potato
● High volume sprinkler Wheat Jasmine Sunflower Raddish
Jowar (All) Ornamental Safflower Carrot
Based on principle of operation Bajra Trees and shrubs Toria Garlic
Barley Marigold Linseed Cabbage
● Whirling sprinkler Fodders Gram Castor Kholchol
● Turbo hammer sprinkler Pulses Pigeonpea Plantation crops Spinach
● Propeller sprinkler Alfalfa Lintel Coffee Fenugreek
● Mini-sprinkler Asparagu Beans Rubber Cucurbits
s
(All) Spices Tamarind Sugarbeets
Based on movement Pastures
-Set move irrigation system Fibres Cardamom Teak Lettuce
Cotton Pepper Tea Tapioca
● Hand move Sisal Sweet Potato
● Tow move
● Side roll
● Gun type

*Future thrust
Yield advantage and water savings in various crops due to spr inkler irrigation has been proved beyond
doubt. However, slow growth in area expansion under sprinkler irrigation has to be offset by popularizing
technical know-how and fine tuning of policy decisions. On the lines of Australia where micro irrigation
has linkage with surface irrigation, there is need to start the linkage in India. A techno economic feasibility
study on pilot scale has to be initiated in this regard in the country. Keeping in view very less area of grain
crops under sprinkler irrigation, efforts must be made to introduce this irrigation system especially in
water scarce and undulating areas. Considering the fast decline of irrigation potential and competing
demand for water from different sectors, all possible efforts are needed to increase the adoption of water
saving technologies so as to avoid water scarcity in the future.