Question

Mention two factors that favour the development of tube well irrigation in Punjab.

Answer 1

 A tube well is a deeper well (generally over 15 metres deep) from which water is lifted with the help of a pumping set operated by an electric motor or a diesel engine. Obviously, a tube well cannot be constructed everywhere and requires some geographical conditions favouring its installation. The main factors are:

(i) There should be sufficient quantity of ground water because a tube well can generally irrigate 2 hectares per day against 0.2 hectares per day irrigated by an ordinary well.

(ii) The water level should be nearly 15 metres. If the water table is more than 50 metres deep the cost of pumping out water from the tube well becomes uneconomic.