The total area which can be economically irrigated from an irrigation system without considering the limitation of the quantity of water available

Explanation:

Gross Command Area (GCA):

• It is the total area that can be economically irrigated from an irrigation system, irrespective of water availability.

• It includes all land types within the command — both cultivable and uncultivable (roads, settlements, barren lands, etc.).

• It forms the basis for further classifications like Culturable Command Area and Net Irrigated Area.

 Additional Information

Culturable Command Area (CCA):

• Part of the Gross Command Area that is suitable for cultivation.

• Excludes uncultivable land such as forests, rocky terrain, and infrastructure.

• Water availability is also not a limiting factor in its definition.

Gross Cultivable Area:

• Refers to the total cultivable land in a region, which may not be linked to a specific irrigation system.

• It includes both rain-fed and irrigated areas.

Mean Sea Level (MSL):

• A standard reference for measuring elevations and altitudes.

• It has no relevance in defining irrigable command areas.