Scarcity in the midst of plenty: irrigation development for water abundant Assam

P. Goyari

Conference Papers from International Water Management Institute

Abstract: The paper attempts to examine the extent of irrigation development in the water abundant state of Assam which is disturbed by frequent floods almost every year. Although Assam has many sources of water, only a small fraction of total water resources has been utilized in gainful economic activities. While existing irrigation facilities are not enough for agriculture sector, large portion of irrigation potential already created remains unutilized. Added to it, excess rainwater in the form of frequent floods every year in the kharif season destroys standing crops and damages irrigation facilities, create water-logging, soil erosion and affect large crop areas. The rabi season receives low or almost zero rainfall. Therefore, the future plans on the development of irrigation potentials should give more emphasis on (i) development of ground water based on installation of shallow tube wells, borewells etc., (ii) development of surface flow or lift irrigation through construction of small dams on the naturally flowing water ways and distributor channels, and (iii) harvesting of rainwater during rainy season.

Keywords: Water; scarcity; Rivers; Flooding; Rice; Irrigated; farming (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2008
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:iwt:conppr:h042922

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