Role of Irrigation in Development: The Rajasthan Experience

Abstract

Rajasthan is the largest state of India in terms of area and it covers about 10.4% of the total area of India but only 1.04% of the water resources, hence there is lack of water resources for 70% of the state's agricultural economy. The uncertainty of the monsoon creates problems of employment and irregularity along with hindering the development of agriculture. Such problems have revealed an important requirement of irrigation in the state. The paper will explain about the main sources, needs and importance of irrigation in Rajasthan. The study also focuses on the area irrigated by irrigation resources in Rajasthan. Main irrigation projects of Rajasthan like interstate multipurpose river valley projects of Rajasthan, major irrigation projects of Rajasthan, medium projects of Rajasthan, minor irrigation projects of Rajasthan are explained properly with facts and figures in the study. The paper also highlights the development of irrigation during plans and its progress in gross irrigated area in Rajasthan. Allocation of expenses of public sector irrigation and flood control under the five-year plans in Rajasthan were part of the study. In the last paper ended explaining about the barriers to irrigation development, suggestions and conclusion. Financial difficulty, rising cost of irrigation projects, problem of full utilization of irrigation potential, reservoir problems, inter-State disputes, problem of environmental protection, corruption, red tape and political partisanship, unnecessary delay are the various problems faced by the farmers. To overcome these problem suggestions given like government should focus on mobilizing more resources, seek foreign cooperation, control over corruption, careful use of water and proper drainage system, disputes should be settled quickly and without political pressure, timely completion of projects, etc.