Irrigation and drainage development Drainage development Drainage of agricultural land in Estonia dates back to the seventeenth century, when the first areas of pasture land were drained artificially. The first drainage bureau was established in 1897 and the first Baltic Marsh Improvement Society in 1906. By 1939, there were 779 land reclamation societies for the operation and maintenance of the drainage canals. In 1957, Land Improvement Bureaux were established to expand, operate and maintain the drainage systems. In the coastal areas it is not possible to irrigate without the construction of reservoirs.
All irrigation is sprinkler irrigation.
Different types of sprinkler irrigation systems have been constructed during the last 20 years, depending on the scheme size and technological improvements. The large irrigation systems were generally of poor quality and were soon abandoned. During the 1980s, only drag hose irrigation systems were used. The irrigation areas are mainly located in the north and east of the country. The main irrigated crops are pasture and vegetables.