ABSTRACT
Primitive irrigation is characterized by its great variety; in many different physical environments it is practised by peoples with varying cultures and levels of technology and on scales ranging from individual farmers to the great hydraulic societies of India and China. Despite the variety of physical settings and methods used, most primitive irrigation schemes show a sophisticated awareness of local hydrological conditions and are economic in that they produce an increased return over rainfall farming for the increased input of labour and equipment. The movement of water for irrigation may be divided into three phases: abstraction from the water source; distribution throughout the irrigation system; and application on to the crops. In primitive systems water from surface sources is generally abstracted by means of continuous flow, in canals, and water from ground-water sources, which requires lifting to the field surface, is most easily taken out in units.
