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9.3. Asian Group
Asian Group is very rich in terms of rivers and streams (Irtysh, Yenisei, Indus,
and Ganges).Therefore most of the continent is composed of large alluvial plains. Dams
are also common in Asian countries to store the waters of these large rivers for
irrigation and hydroelectric power generation.
Total irrigation potential is about 81 million hectares in Asian Group countries.
Pakistan, Iran, and Indonesia have the largest shares in this group. The other countries
have lower levels of irrigation potential (Figure 9.9).
Figure 9.9. Irrigation Potential in Asian Group
Source: AQUASTAT, 2013
Note: Data not available in Afghanistan, Albania, Brunei, Maldives, Guyana and Suriname
The total amount of surface irrigation is about 54 million ha within the Asian
Group countries. While Pakistan, Iran, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Turkey, and Uzbekistan
have the largest shares, surface irrigation is at lower levels in other countries.
Within the Asian Group countries, the amount of sprinkler irrigation is about 1.5
million ha. In this Group, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Iran, and Afghanistan have the largest
shares. Sprinkler irrigation in other countries compared to the former is very low. Total