Definition of Irrigation

• Irrigation may be defined as the process of artificially supplying water to soil for raising crops.
• It is a science of planning and designing an efficient, low-cost, economic irrigation system custom made to fit natural conditions. 
• It is the engineering of controlling and connecting the various natural sources of water, by the construction of dams and reservoirs, canals and head works and finally distributing the water to the agricultural fields. 
• Irrigation engineering includes the study and design of works in connection with river control, drainage of water-logged areas, and generation of hydroelectric power.
• Irrigation helps to grow agricultural crops, maintain landscapes, and re-vegetate disturbed soils in dry areas and during periods of less than average rainfall.