Revisiting the Traditional Irrigation System for Sustainability of Farm Production: Evidences from Bihar (India)

Shyam Sunder Prasad Sharma and U. Hemantha Kumar

No 158861, 87th Annual Conference, April 8-10, 2013, Warwick University, Coventry, UK from Agricultural Economics Society

Abstract: The paper aims at to examine the approach of revitalization of the traditional irrigation system in Bihar (India). Although, the system contributes only 12 % irrigation of the total area yet its irrigation potential in 2012 is 15.44 lakh hectors constituting 7 % of the total irrigation potential. The system is self sustained and the people managed. Farming sector in the state contributes 18.12 % to the state gross domestic product in 2012 is the base of the state economy. Traditional irrigation system constitutes primarily of the system of irrigation through “Ahar-Pyne”. Ahars are reservoirs and consist of a major embankment across the line of the drainage with two side embankments running backwards up to the line of the drainage gradually losing their heights because of the gradient of the surface. “Ahar” is actually a tank which receives its supply from small rivers through diversion channel called Desiyan (a source of irrigation to ten villages) “pyne”. The system was on decline earlier due to mechanisation of irrigation but now it gains its revitalisation due to sustainable contribution in crop production and its rationale of water use efficiency practised by the marginal farmers for enhancing the farm productivity.

Keywords: Crop Production/Industries; International Development (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 17
Date: 2013
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ags:aesc13:158861

DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.158861

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