Read this article to learn about the advantages and disadvantages of open well irrigation.
Advantages/Pros/Benefits:
1. Whenever necessity is felt, in any tract locally, well may be sunk to start open well irrigation. Much consideration need not be given to any of the other factors which are given proper weightage while introducing canal irrigation.
2. There is no need of constructing many and expensive hydraulic structures. The cost of well irrigation project is therefore much less.
3. When the water is withdrawn from the subsoil formation by means of wells the waters table obviously lowers and water-logging of the land is prevented.
4. The water is used more economically as cultivator has to put in labour for lifting water.
5. The water can be used at any time depending upon the choice of cultivator and water needs of crops.
6. As the water is assured for whole of the year, provided groundwater conditions are favourable, two to three corps can be grown on the same field in one year.
7. Maintenance cost of a well is less. Also as the well is situated usually in the middle of the field water losses in transit are less.
8. By constructing number of wells in any tract intensive irrigation of some valuable crops can be done.
9. In well irrigation duty realized is higher.
10. Well water irrigates the un-commanded patches of the culturable land in the canal irrigated tract. Thus it assists the canal irrigation.
11. Well water is cooler in summer season and warmer in winter season. This water when applied to the crops, tries to neutralize the bad effects of the hot or cold season.
Disadvantages/Cons/Drawbacks:
1. To make the water available for irrigation purposes it is necessary to lift it from underground. For lifting the water power is required. Thus the well irrigation is much dependent on the availability of power or trouble free working of the machinery which is very rare thing.
2. Sometimes cost of well water is so high that the returns obtained from it are not justifiable.
3. Availability of water from the wells depends on groundwater storage. The discharge from well is low and area commanded is less.
4. The water in well is static and therefore it is free of suspended silt. Water carrying silt together with some useful suspended salts is very beneficial to the crops. Well water thus lacks in this respect.