Irrigation System in Himachal Pradesh: An Ecinimic Analysis, 2000, by Ranveer Singh, S.P. Saraswat, Meenakshi, Khem Raj Sharma
Abstract : Himachal Pradesh is one of the States, which could not benefited more through new farm technology/green revolution. This has been mainly due to poor productions base in terms of irrigation facilities and non-suitability of the developed farm technology in the hilly areas. In Himachal Pradesh out of total geographical area of 5567 thousand hectares 11 percent is cultivated land and 20 percent of cultivated land is under irrigation. This area is being irrigated by number of sources i.e. Kuhls, Tanks, Tube well, lift, etc. The share of irrigated crops in total cropped area is almost stagnant since 1971-72, despite a lot of efforts already made by the state government and populace. One of the main reasons for this stagnancy seems to be under reporting of irrigated area by Government authorities in records. Besides this, temporal distribution of water flows, incompatibility between hill terrain and conventional approach of irrigation systems and failure to develop appropriate irrigation design suited to the terrain are the important factors responsible for this. The present study analyzed the trends in source wise area irrigated and role of irrigation in changing cropping pattern, intensity of cropping, yield, income and labour use in agriculture. The finding of the present study based on 200 farms in H.P reveals that substantial area has been shifted from cereal and pulses crops toward vegetable crops in the command area of irrigation systems of mid hill region. In low hills, the productivity of existing crops has increased on the irrigated farms. The net returns per hectare of cultivated land on irrigated farms ranges from Rs 9666 in tube well irrigation system to Rs.79, 776 in lift irrigation system that are 18 to1230 percent higher than that of un- irrigated farms. The output–input ratio is ranging from Rs1.72 to Rs 4.56. The use of fertilizer and manure is also more on irrigated farms than that of un-irrigated farms. Per hectare labour use is also relatively higher on irrigated farm than that of un-irrigated farms. It was observed that factors which hindered the efficient use of water are lack of suitable command, absence of field channels, faulty lining, poor concrete work, wrong routing of channels, lack of coordination and poor maintenance. Further, study suggested that proper maintenance of public irrigation structures and regular supply of electricity should ensure for timely and adequate supply of water in the command area. Provision of sprinkler in lift and tank irrigation system will save the water and increase the area under irrigation.
