, Vikram J.Patel

Agriculture and, consequently, food production depend, among other factors, on the proper management of water. Land drainage, an integral component of water management, is well known to have ameliorated salinity and waterlogging problems in rain fed and irrigated agriculture. In so doing, it has contributed substantially to sustainable agricultural development through enabling increased crop production, decreased farming costs, and the maintaining of soil quality. In areas where rainfall is excessive, it is necessary to manage land drainage, both surface and subsurface, in order to prevent waterlogging. In areas where rainfall is deficient, drainage management is still important in order to minimize soil salinization. In the arid and semi-arid regions, soil salinity still limits crop production significantly. Hence, it has a negative effect on food security. In the wetter regions, flooding and waterlogging still limit crop production in many parts of the world. As the global population and the demand for food increase, additional new drainage systems will be installed in a broader range of climate, soil and hydrological conditions, and existing systems will be renovated. This study on surface drainage is intended to serve as a reference for an integrated drainage system. The main text of this study provides critical general information about th