3. Stabilizing the Canal Irrigation

Irrigation sector in India is known for its Build–Neglect–Rebuild approach. Overall, the major and medium irrigation (MMI) projects account for about 73% of the irrigation potential already created and about 82% of the ultimate irrigation potential (UIP). The gap between the created and utilized potential is increasing over the years, which is about 25.6 M ha (27.15%) at the end of the Eleventh Plan. The average water use efficiency of the canal irrigation projects in the country is only about 36%. The measures to improve the performance of irrigation schemes include improving the overall water use efficiency, investment in command area development including more pressurized (micro) irrigation systems and participatory irrigation management, modernization of the existing schemes, inter-basin transfers in feasible locations, etc. A recent development in the area of canal irrigation modernization in India is the establishment of Support for Irrigation Modernization Program (SIMP) which is a natural progression by the ADB and the GoI and will support the states in preparing future irrigation modernization programmes for MMI schemes.