Sustainability of Irrigation through Shallow Wells: A Case Study in Tamilnadu, India

The importance of role of irrigation in developing countries is widely recognized for economic development and food security. It impacts growth of a nation and contribute to the wellbeing of the people. In India, since independence agriculture has been the primary source of income and a major sector employing vast majority of people till date. Shallow wells play a very important role in irrigating vast majority of area as it is affordable to even marginal farmers. Ground water levels have been greatly affected by increase in population, urbanization, growth of industries, consuming level of food and energy demands. It can directly impact the agricultural sector and hence impact economy. This paper analyses the sustainability of such wells through a case study demonstrating the use of statistical methods to derive useful information. The results indicate statistical methods can provide useful insights into the sustainability of shallow wells. Proper management strategies that can lead to sustainability have been suggested.