DMPQ: What are the merits and demerits of canal irrigation? (Geography)

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Merits:

  • Most of the canals provide perennial irrigation. This saves the crops from drought conditions and helps in increasing the farm production.
  • Canals carry a lot of sediments brought down by the rivers. The sediments is deposited in the agriculture fields which adds to the fertility.
  • Some of the canals are parts of multipurpose project and therefore provide cheap source of irrigation.
  • Low operational cost.

 

Demerits:

  • Leads to the problem of water logging along the canal route.
  • Capillary action brings alkaline salts to the surface and makes large area unfit for agriculture.
  • The marshy areas near the canals act as breeding grounds of mosquitoes which result in widespread malaria.
  • Many canals over flow during rainy season and flood the surrounding areas.
  • Canal irrigation is suitable in plain areas only.

 

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