Question

Describe the merits and demerits of well and tubewell irrigation in India.

Answer 1

Merits:

• Simplest and cheapest source of irrigation.
  
• Well can be dug at any convenient place.
  
• Several chemicals such as nitrate, chloride, sulphate, etc. are generally found mixed in well water. They add to the fertility of soil when they reach the agricultural field along with well water.
  

Demerits:

• Only a limited area can be irrigated normally up to 1 to 8 hectares of land.
  
• If once dried up, it may be considered useless.
  
• Not possible in areas with brackish groundwater.