“IRRIGATION DEVELOPMENT PROBLEMS AND STRATEGIES”

India is one of the few countries in the world endowed with abundant land and water resources. The average rainfall in the country is estimated to be over 4000 cubic km spread over the geographical area of 328 m.ha. of which 185 m.ha is culturable our to tropical climate conditions, India experiences vast spatial and temporary variation in the rainfall about one third of the country's area is drought prone. The southern and western parts of the country comprising states of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamilnadu and Karnataka are drought prone. On the other hand the areas subjected to periodic floods are mainly in the Norther and North Eastern parts of the country comprising states of Uttarpradesh, Bihar West Bengal, Assan and the seven north Eastern states.