what are reasons for the gap between command area and irrigated land of VEERLADEVI tank
Answers
Explanation:
4.2.1 Agricultural growth is a pre-requisite for the economic and social development of our country. Agriculture contributes 28% of GNP, about 60% of employment and is the primary source of livelihood in rural areas which account for 75% of India's population and 80% of its poor. The irrigated agriculture, contributes nearly 56% of agricultural output. Addressing the irrigation sector's current performance problems will thus be a central element of future strategy for agricultural development. India has now nearly reached the ceiling of available land suitable for cultivation. Between 1970-71 to 1993-94, net sown area remained virtually unchanged (from 140.27 to 142.10 m.ha.). Hence, increase in production is attributable to an increase in yields through increase in cropping intensity and utilisation of better inputs. The increase in irrigation intensity has contributed to the growth in the overall cropping intensity (including rainfed crops) which increased from 111.07% in 1950-51 to 131.19% in 1993-94. The nature of irrigation development in northwest areas has had much to do with its impact on cropping intensity. Expansion of tubewells and availability of surface water from storage type irrigation projects has enabled the production of Rabi and summer crops. Supplemental irrigation is available via run-of-the-river irrigation schemes as the snow melts. In the 1950s and 1960s, extension in cultivated area contributed substantially to increase in our foodgrain production. Mid Sixties onwards, expansion of irrigation as well as introduction of high yielding varieties of rice, wheat and other crops brought the country's foodgrain production to a satisfactory level. Further step up in foodgrain production, to the extent of its doubling in next 10 years, would mainly depend on the availability and performance efficiency of irrigation. The Ninth Plan will make a thrust in this direction through a "Special Action Plan", the details of which are included subsequently. The overall strategy of irrigation development and management during the Ninth Plan will have the following core ingredients :