Proceedings of the Public Works Department in Irrigation Schemes before 1956 in Kanyakumari District

Abstract

                Lack of proper irrigation and uneven distribution of rainfall resulted in low agricultural production. Further, the taluks of Tovala and Agasteeswaram formed Nanchilnad which was aptly called “The Grannary of Travancore”. The areas in these taluks were the chief river-bed and their cultivation mostly depended upon channels and channel fed tanks. The places in remaining taluks depended on rain fed tanks. But the tanks contained only just enough for cultivating a little acre of land. In tie primitive stage, the ryots of South Travancore availed of water from rivers and wells to irrigate their lands. Though well irrigation was less expensive and more dependable, it could irrigate only an acre or two in their immediate vicinity. Consequently, well irrigation in South Travancore did not play a vital role.