3. IRRIGATION SYSTEM OF PAKISTAN
Pakistan is an agricultural country. The level of agricultural
production is directly related to the availability and effective
use of water as a major input
The irrigation system of Pakistan is the largest irrigation
network in the world serving 42 million acres of cultivated land
Irrigation network is maintained through 3 large storage dams,
80 small dams, 19 barrages and 12 link canals
Irrigation water management is biggest challenge of 21st
century because irrigated agriculture is 24% of GDP
4. PAKISTAN’S AGRICULTURAL
CHALLENGES
Increasing population pressure
Shrinking water resources
High water losses in irrigation system
Over exploitation of groundwater
Limiting/diminishing energy resources
Shortage of electricity
High cost of diesel
Low agricultural productivity
5. IRRIGATION WATER MANAGEMENT
AND CONSERVATION
The process of determining and controlling the volume,
frequency and application rate of irrigation water in a
planned and efficient manner.
Objectives
Manage soil moisture
Minimize soil and water quality problems
Manage salts in root zone
Increase in cropping intensity & crop yield
Minimize conveyance losses
6. IRRIGATION WATER
Controlled amount of water should
be applied to plants at needed
intervals of time.
The water quality used for irrigation
should:
Maintain soil productivity
Increase yield of crops
Protect environment
7. STRATEGIES
Precision/Laser Land
leveling
The field is leveled with certain
degrees of desired slope using a
guided laser beam throughout the
field.
Benefits
Reduces irrigation water losses
up to 25%
Reduces labor requirement to
extent of 35%
Increases crop yield up to 20%
8. Bed And Furrow
Planting
A raised bed planting system with a
number of defined rows planted on
top of the bed with furrow irrigation.
Benefits
Saving of about 40% irrigation
water
Increase in yield up to 10%
Controls crusting of soil
Reduces plant submergence
Enhances fertilizer use efficiency
9. Flexible Gated Pipe
Irrigation
Distribution of water to irrigated
field through a flexible pipe.
Benefits
Saving of about 25-30%
irrigation water
Easy portability
Low initial cost
Less labor requirement
Negligible operation and
maintenance expense
10. Watercourse Improvement
Complete demolishing of community
channel and its rebuilding according
to engineering design to increase
conveyance and efficiency.
Benefits
Saving of about 28% irrigation
water
Increase in crop intensity is
23%
Increase in yield up to 37%
Increases net farm income up
to 20%
11. High Efficiency
Pressurized Irrigation
Systems
Use of irrigation systems which are
highly efficient as
o Drip irrigation
o Sprinkler irrigation
Benefits
Minimum conveyance losses
Distribution of water is more
evenly across crops
Maximum crop yield
12. WATER MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
SYSTEM EFFICIENCIES
Least Efficient
Flood Irrigation (40-70%)
Furrow Irrigation (50-75%)
Sprinkler Irrigation (60-90%)
Drip Irrigation (85-92%)
Most Efficient
13. Conclusion
The importance of water can’t be laid aside
while talking about economic growth and
development of Pakistan as it serves as a
livelihood of economy.
Irrigation water use practices in the country
are not in accordance with conservation
requirements so we must adopt these water
management strategies.
Water losses can been minimized by adapting
water conservation strategies.
