Inappropriate irrigation schemes

Irrigation is as much a problem as a solution to improved agriculture. The majority of the world's available freshwater goes to agriculture and inefficient irrigation systems waste a considerable amount of it. Waterlogging and increased salinity and/or alkalinity can defeat the very purpose of the irrigation scheme. In almost every irrigation zone, significant species shifts in soil fauna and plants can be found. Enlarged insect populations spread diseases such as malaria.

1. Not all water-related problems are associated with irrigation. In the Mekong Basin, natural leaching of rock salt into soils and saltwater intrusion in the delta area have degraded some of the most productive agricultural areas (MRC/UNEP 1997a).

1. Unsustainable short-term improvements in agricultural productivity
2. Unsustainable agricultural development
3. Introduction of high-yield crop varieties
4. Exploitative agribusiness
5. Abuse of agricultural techniques
6. Consumption of resources for agriculture

1. Leaching of salts through irrigation
2. Irrigation water losses
3. Inappropriate irrigation subsidies

1. Waterlogged soils
2. Vulnerability of lakes and rivers
3. Overexploitation of underground water resources
4. Loss of river silt
5. Loss of agricultural land due to artificial flooding
6. Limited irrigation water
7. Lack of water conservation
8. Increase in pests and diseases through perennial irrigation
9. Inadequate integrated freshwater management
10. Disruption of the hydrological cycle
11. Disruption of arid zone ecosystems
12. Desiccation of lakes
13. Declining area of irrigated land
14. Animal disease due to increase in irrigation and water conservation

1. Mismanagement of irrigation schemes
2. Misapplication of research results
3. Limited agricultural advice
4. Inappropriate government intervention in agriculture
5. Inappropriate agricultural subsidies for chemicalized farming

1. Undeveloped irrigation system

1. Providing agricultural aid to developing countries
2. Improving farm irrigation systems
3. Developing agriculture

1. Inappropriateness
2. Destructiveness
3. Arid