What are the sources of irrigation?

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Detailed Solution

The main sources of irrigation are canals, tube wells and wells, tanks and ponds, rivers and lift irrigation, and modern systems like drip and sprinkler.

Farmers use different sources based on rainfall, soil, and cost. Surface water and groundwater both matter. Good irrigation improves yields, reduces drought risk, and supports multiple crops per year.

Source	Type	Where it fits	Notes
Canals	Surface water	From dams or barrages	Large command area but high setup cost
Tubewells/wells	Groundwater	Alluvial plains, deep aquifers	Reliable if aquifer is healthy
Tanks/ponds	Surface storage	Peninsular regions, uplands	Community-managed traditional systems
Rivers/lift	Surface intake	Near rivers	Needs pumps, power, filters
Drip irrigation	Micro-irrigation	Orchards, vegetables	Saves water, reduces weeds
Sprinkler	Micro-irrigation	Sandy soils, uneven fields	Uniform application, wind sensitive
Rainwater harvesting	Recharge/storage	Most regions	Improves groundwater and resilience