International Research Journal of Education and Technology

This paper explores the growth of irrigation in Rayalaseema region during the last six decades. The main focus of the paper is analyzing the changes in irrigation under different sources over a period of time in Rayalaseema. Traditionally, Rayalaseema region is being irrigated through canal, tank, well and other sources. In 1960s, tanks were the dominant sources of irrigation in Rayalaseema region. In recent decades, tube wells irrigation replaced the traditional tank irrigation in all the districts in Rayalaseema. Due to low rainfall continuously in this region in recent decades there seems to be a consistent declining trend in the recorded net irrigated area under tanks during the last few decades. Wherever the net tank irrigated area has decreased, much of that is replaced by tube well irrigation.

Key words: Rayalaseema, Irrigation, Tanks, Canals, Tube wells.