IRRIGATION

closed

The Aichi Project for Japan consists of: 1) Irrigation component; 2) Drinking water supply component; 3) Industrial water supply component; and 4) Hydroelectric power component. Currently, Japan produces only 80 percent of its food requirements. To feed 90 million people the country now imports annually about 5.5 million tons of food. By 1965, with an estimated population increase of 100 million, the annual food deficit will be much greater unless production can be increased. The need for drinking water, industrial water, and hydroelectric power will require the construction of irrigation dams and canals. Farmers will benefit from this project because currently they are unable to obtain satisfactory crops because of chronic water shortages during the crop-growing season. Numerous small towns and villages will also benefit from this project because they do not have any adequate supply of fresh water. The growth of the Aichi industrial area will require additional water, and the entire region needs more electric power. The Aichi project will help satisfy an urgent need for food, water and electric power; these three elements will contribute to Japanese upland irrigation techniques.