Adequacy and equity of rotational distribution of irrigation water of gravity flow Ranbir canal system of Jammu province-A case study.

Abstract

Water distribution systems often have multi-objectives such as on the basis of location criteria affect on adequacy, equity etc. The canal systems distributing the water through net work of majors and minors have different design capacities, command areas and lengths requiring different duration of operation. Irrigation scheduling under these conditions especially for rotational water distribution becomes a complex process. Hence, in this research study is conducted in relation to location criteria regarding, the adequacy and equity criteria of canal net work of study area emerging from Ratian head works as per state irrigation department nomenclature of D-10 and D- 10A of gravity flow Ranbir canal system of Jammu. The canal net work receive irrigation water from head works on (14) days rotation basis with (7) days turn for D-10 and D- 10A. The aforesaid canal network of the study area further, branch out in the shape of (13) branches having designed command area of (13375) ha of farmers land within famous Basmati bowl of Jammu province. Based on the present study the adequacy weights range between 0.74 to 1.19 and equity weights are less than 1.0 in each of canal within network. This establishes a fact that there is in- adequate and unequal rotational distribution of irrigation water being presently supplied by state irrigation department. This may be one of the causes for stagnant productivity levels of Paddy (Basmati) within the study area despite application of better quality seed, fertilizer dose and up to the mark farm power energy level.