Meghalaya, one of the eight Northeastern states of India, is blessed with abundant rainfall and large agricultural land. Farmers of this region have been using traditional irrigation systems to channel water sources to their farms and fields.
What is Irrigation?
In simple terms, irrigation refers to the process of facilitating the supply of water to crops through pipes, ditches, and sprinklers. Irrigation system helps farmers to have less dependency on rainwater.
Having an irrigation system is an important factor for assured crop production. It allows proper utilization of all the production factors and leads to increased yield.
The irrigation system also provides optimum moisture to crops and provides farmers with a better yield per unit of land. Irrigation begins during the rainy season and is continued in a controlled fashion, as needed.
One of the innovative traditional irrigation methods that Meghalaya farmers are practising is known as bamboo drip irrigation. Read more here.
Types of Terrace Irrigation Practiced in Different Parts of the World
- Bench terraces: These are conservation structure where a slope is directly or slowly converted into a series of level steps (like a staircase on a slope) and ledges. The flat areas between the terraces are used for growing crops such as grass and legumes. The grasses and legumes capture water and nutrient runoff and are used for animal feed. The terrace is then closed by growing grass on the last flat area at the bottom of the terrace.
- Fanya juu: It is the practice of throwing the soil upwards. For this kind of terrace, a ditch is dug and the soil from uphill is thrown to form a ridge. The ditch traps the water and allows the water to infiltrate slowly into the soil. The ridge also prevents the soil from moving downhill. It is mostly used in the highlands where the speed of the water is high. There should be a ridge at the bottom of the terrace to close off this fanya juu terrace.
- Fanya chini: A practice of irrigation where the soil is thrown downhill. To make this kind of terrace, farmers dig a ditch and throw the soil downhill to establish a ridge. They grow tree or fodder on the ridges and close off the terrace with a final ridge. This form of terrace farming is often used in the lowlands with moderate slopes.
- Water terraces: Water terraces are built in flood-prone areas by farmers to cope with flowing water. To deal with water masses, water speed, and to change the water direction. Water terraces are similar to bench terraces, except that at the end of the trench, there is no final ridge for stopping the flow of water. Instead, furrows are constructed under the benches to catch runoff water.
- Stone terrace: In stone terraces, stones are used to create strong embankments on steep slopes. The stone terraces have the potential to slow down runoff, increase water infiltration, and form the basis for improved production in semi-arid areas. By using the contours of low slopes, water harvesting is improved and crops can be grown in low rainfall areas.
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What is Bench Terrace?
A series of level, or nearly level platform, built along the contours at suitable intervals, running across the slope supported by steep risers. The possible width of the terrace without excavating into subsoil or rock is a function of both soil depth and land slope.
Conceptual description: Bench terraces is a series of level or virtually level strips running across the slope at vertical intervals, supported by steep banks or risers (Sheng 1989).
History of Bench Irrigation
- The practice of bench terracing is almost as old as agriculture itself.
- People have already attained great skill in the construction of essentially level terrace, centuries before, by using supported artificial walls of stone.
- These structures were used extensively in building broad fields in the valleys and establishing bench like strip on the mountain.
Why Terrace Farming?
- To arrest runoff to reduce soil, water losses and to hold soil and prevent it from being washed downhill.
- To reduce the slope of a hillside cultural practices and mechanical operations.
- To gradually convert the barriers into bench terraces.
Traditional Irrigation System Practiced in Meghalaya
Meghalaya is an agricultural state with 83% of the population depending on it for their livelihood! Indigenous farmers in Meghalaya practice traditional methods of cultivation and irrigation system.
Meghalaya receives rainfall throughout the year, so the irrigation is required only in the areas where the soil has a poor water holding capacity and in undulating valleys. In such places, the farmers here practice bamboo drip irrigation and continuous flow irrigation. (Source)
One of the traditional irrigation methods practised by farmers here in Meghalaya is bench terrace irrigation method. It is an irrigation method that is used in Meghalaya as well as throughout the whole of Northeast Himalayan region. In this method, the water source such as streams from the hills is tapped. Streams emerging from the forest are channelled to irrigate a series of terrace farming fields, water flows continuously from the upper to the lower terraces.
This traditional irrigation method is widely used on non-fertile lands and harsh terrains that can be utilized for cultivating rice. The framers also use stones and gunny bags that help in soil maintenance and prevent soil erosion problems. The crops are submerged in water for up to 5 - 8 cm and this level is maintained continuously throughout the year.
After the harvest season, only the ear head of rice is plucked and the straw is left in the field, which then rots and helps in improving the soil fertility. In a few areas of Meghalaya, all the farm operations are done manually and bullock power is only used for field preparations.
Bench terracing is also an important conservation measure for valleys and hill slopes. It is practised under the rainfed condition, for topo-sequence crops such as maize, bean, and potato which are planted on upper slopes and crops requiring more water such as rice and jute grown on lower slopes. In this way, the excess runoff from the upper portion of the slope is nutrient-rich, utilized for the lower hill crops.
Bench terrace irrigation has helped farmers in Meghalaya create cultivable land along the sides of perennial water flow. It is also cost-effective and easy to implement for farmers.
The Zizira Aspect
We here at Zizira are doing our best to highlight the traditional methods of farming implemented by farmers of Northeast India. We are meeting farmers and helping them understand that there is a market for their produce. We hope to play a small part in improving returns to the farmers of Northeast India by promoting their products and unleashing the potential of family farms in Meghalaya.
Do you have any questions you would like to ask us? Do you want to learn more about farmers of Northeast India? Be a part of us, join us.