India is an agrarian country. About 84% of water in India is used for irrigation. Agriculture activities need a lot of water. For example, about 1500 liters of water is needed to produce 1 kg of wheat. Paddy, jute and sugarcane crops require more water.

In India, water is being used for irrigation since ancient times. To fulfil the irrigational needs, the famous Grand Anicut Canal in three ways was constructed across the river Kaveri in 2nd century. In 1882, the Eastern Yamuna Canal was constructed in Uttar Pradesh.

Sources of Irrigation: Basically India irrigates its land through in three ways. They are

1. Wells and tube wells
2. Canals and
3. Ponds.

Out of these, wells and tube wells come under the first source of irrigation. Canals and ponds come under the third source of water for irrigation. Wells and tube wells are quite common in alluvial plains. Canal irrigation is practised in the vast plains of Satluj, Ganga and Yamuna and also in the delta regions of Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna and Kaveri rivers in the southern plains.