Irrigation around the World
Fresh water is a scare resource and its proper use for agriculture is one of the most challenging tasks around the world. Irrigation all over world is available only on 20.3% of the arable land and land under permanent crops. Many countries having vast areas (Australia, Canada, Russia) etc. have only less than 5% of their arable land / land under permanent crops under irrigation.
Arable Land
Arable Land refers to the land under temporary crops (double cropped areas are counted once only), temporary meadows for mowing or pasture, land under market or kitchen gardens and temporarily fallow (less than 5 years).
Land under permanent crops
Land cultivated with crops that occupy the land for long periods and need not be replanted after each harvest, such as cocoa, coffee and rubber; this category includes land under flowering shrubs, fruit trees, nut trees and vines but excludes land under trees grown for wood or timber.
A few countries such as Algeria, Argentina, South Africa, USA have facilities to irrigate only 6-15% of their lands. Countries like China, Japan, Israel, and Bangladesh are in a comfortable position having 50-60% of their arable land getting irrigation. Only a few countries such as Egypt, New Zealand and Chile could bring their arable land and land under permanent crops more or less fully under irrigation.
Egypt is the only country in the world to have its entire arable area under irrigation. Its Aswan dam is one of the famous river valley projects in the world. Like Egypt and India, China has also an equally ancient irrigation system. In 6th and 6th century AD, the 420 Km long Grand Canal was constructed in China. In 700 AD, the 1120 kilometres long Imperial Canal was constructed in China, marking highest technological attainment.
Japan is known for scientific irrigation practices used since 600BC. Japan has one of the most advanced agriculture in the world mainly because of scientifically interwoven irrigation and water management systems across the country.
