What is Irrigation?
Irrigation is the process of artificially providing water to land or crops to help them grow. It is a vital practice in agriculture that ensures plants have enough water to thrive, especially in regions with insufficient rainfall or drought conditions.
Types of Irrigation
- Drip Irrigation
- Sprinkler Irrigation
- Flood Irrigation
- Center Pivot Irrigation
Importance of Irrigation
Irrigation is essential for crop production as it helps increase agricultural productivity and food security. It also allows farmers to cultivate crops in areas where natural water sources are limited.
Case Studies
One example of the importance of irrigation is the Indus Valley Civilization, where early farmers used irrigation techniques to cultivate crops in an arid region, leading to the development of advanced urban centers.
Statistics
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), over 40% of the world’s food production comes from irrigated agriculture.
