Kannur
district has 16,835 hectares under irrigation, which is 3.24 per cent of
the gross irrigated area in the State. In terms of total area under
irrigation, Kannur district ranks last among districts in the State.
Well density per sq. km. is 160
in coastal area, 90 in midland area and 48 in high land area and it is
estimated that there are 1.59 lakh wells in
Kannur district. Only five per cent of the ground water potential
is utilized at present for irrigation.
There
are about 8609 minor irrigation schemes consisting of lift irrigation,
wells and tanks in the district. The district does not have nay major or
medium irrigation scheme in operation. The two irrigation projects,
viz., Pazhassi and Kattampally projects, are incomplete. The
Pazhassi project is expected to irrigate 16,200 hectares of land when
completed. The Kattampally project which is multi purpose project for
irrigation, flood control etc. will protect 3168 acres of land from
flood and intrusion of sea water and is expected to irrigate 1080 acres
of land.
