Performance Evaluation of Well Irrigation under Tank Command Area

This study was taken under to verify the efficiency and efficacy of usage of ground water for irrigation that has been practiced in the farmer’s field. The tank command area located near Mandalageri village in Raichur district was selected as there are many farmers who practice well irrigation and use the tank water for recharging of wells. The selected farmers in the project were typically growing traditional crop namely paddy along with light irrigated crops like sunflower, and cotton. The quantity of water being irrigated per irrigation period of pumping, application losses as well as scheduling that they follow were observed and recorded. The water production efficiencies for each of the farmer were compared with the estimated gross irrigation requirement. The study shows that excessive irrigation was practiced by the farmers as they were not measuring the irrigation quantity. This is leading not only to excessive irrigation but also to additional burden on power requirement. Hence, suitable measuring devices namely H flumes, RBC flumes need to be inducted to help apply irrigation water with better efficiency.