ABSTRACT
The deployment and diffusion of Green Revolution technology and subsequent tremendous growth in agricultural production and productivity were enabled to a large extent by irrigation infrastructure. This chapter examines the trend of growth in irrigated area across sources and across states, as well as issues in the management of irrigation infrastructure. It has been found that while there has been tremendous growth in irrigated area in the country following the Green Revolution, significant spatial variations exist in this regard. The study also outlines various challenges, both technical and institutional, which have been confronted while developing and managing the created irrigation infrastructure. Some such challenges are underutilization of created irrigation potential, reduced public investment in recent decades, and participation of stakeholders in irrigation management.
