Irrigation water requirement modelling using CROPWAT model: Balangir district, Odisha

Present study deals with the determination of crop irrigation requirement of major cultivated crops in Balangir district, Odisha, India. The main crops include Paddy, Pulses, Cotton, Sesame, Groundnut and Mango. The irrigation water requirements and scheme water supply for each crop in the district were determined by using CROPWAT 8.0 model. Reference evapotranspiration was calculated using Food and Agriculture Organization-Penman Montieth equation. The effective rainfall was calculated using USDA S.C. method. Modelling results showed that actual irrigated area in the district is 17794 km2 and net irrigation demand for the actual irrigated area is 0.9 BCM. This study might be useful to prevent over or under irrigation and planning water management strategies in the district.