1. World problems
  2. Inappropriate irrigation schemes

Inappropriate irrigation schemes

  • Destruction of arid ecosystems by irrigation
  • Inappropriate irrigated agriculture

Nature

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.

Claim

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).

Broader

Narrower

Aggravates

Aggravated by

Strategy

Value

Destructiveness
Yet to rate
Arid
Yet to rate

Reference

SDG

Sustainable Development Goal #2: Zero HungerSustainable Development Goal #6: Clean Water and SanitationSustainable Development Goal #15: Life on Land

Metadata

Database
World problems
Type
(E) Emanations of other problems
Subject
  • Agriculture, fisheries » Agriculture
  • Climatology » Arid zones » Arid zones
  • Geography » Ecology
  • Hydrology » Hydrology
  • Societal problems » Destruction
  • Content quality
    Presentable
     Presentable
    Language
    English
    Last update
    May 19, 2022