Introduction and Background

Climate and weather conditions experienced in India are varied in nature.  There is extreme heat at some places, while the climate remains extremely cold at other places.  Monsoon in India is also irregular and erratic in nature. The distribution of monsoon across the country is also not uniform.  Therefore, there is a strong need for irrigation.  Non-irrigated (rain-fed) agriculture depends entirely on rainfall, stored in the soil profile.  This form of agriculture is possible only in regions where rainfall distribution ensures continuing availability of soil moisture during the critical growing periods for the crops.  Read More