Question

Tubewell irrigation on agricultural land is responsible for __________.

• A. decrease in agriculture output
• B. reduction of water table
• C. loss of capital
• D. loss of soil fertility

Answer 1

The correct option is B reduction of water table

B. Reduction of Water table

One of the main threats to tubewell irrigation is that of over-abstraction leading to a lowering of the water table. If the rate of withdrawal is greater than the rate at which an aquifer is re-charged from surface water intrusion, there is a risk of eventual exhaustion.

Groundwater use and over use can raise important equity issues, particularly in rural areas when, following increased consumption, the level of water tables has been lowered. Only the richer farmers or land owners can afford to sink deep wells and boreholes and to purchase the more powerful pumps necessary to abstract groundwater.