Question

What are the drawbacks of canal irrigation?

Give two demerits of canal irrigation.

Answer 1

Following are the drawbacks of canal irrigation:

1. Waterlogging and Salinity: Excessive use of canal water in areas with poor drainage leads to the water table rising and salts accumulating in the soil, reducing fertility.
2. High Initial Cost: Construction of canals involves heavy expenditure and is only justified in areas with perennial rivers and extensive cultivable land.
3. Unhealthy Conditions: Stagnant water in canals and their distributaries can become breeding grounds for mosquitoes, causing malaria and other diseases.
4. Uneven Distribution: Farmers at the head of the canal often take more water, leaving an insufficient supply for those at the tail end.
5. Damage to Crops: Sudden breaches or overflows in canals during floods can inundate fields and destroy standing crops.