Irrigation water distribution in a canal command area -a case study

Abstract

The Eastern Yamuna Canal (EYC) in western Uttar Pradesh is one of the oldest canals in India and does not have upstream storage dam in the system. The water availability fluctuates widely, both due to seasonal and intra-seasonal variations in water availability in the river. This results in very uncertain water supply for the distributaries in the canal system. The command area witnessed vast development of ground water potential through the farmers' efforts, which helped in solving the water problem. The farmers, in order to make best use ofthe uncertain canal water, have modified the water distribution practices among themselves, including both canal and ground water. However, corresponding institutional efforts to supplement farmers' endeavour to enhance the availability of irrigation water, does not seem to exist. In this situation canal neither provides protective irrigation, as envisaged originally nor provides productive irrigation as they fail to meet the time and quantity specific requirements of the crops.