Buying Guide
Agricultural Irrigation Pump Guide for Drip and Sprinkler Farms
Choose the right agricultural irrigation pump for openwells, borewells, drip and sprinkler systems. Learn how to size head, flow and HP for Indian farms.
The right agricultural irrigation pump matches three things: your water source (openwell, borewell or farm pond), the total head including the pressure your drip or sprinkler system needs, and the flow required for each irrigation shift. Openwell and pond users usually choose an openwell submersible or a monoblock pump, while borewell users need a borewell submersible sized to the bore diameter and the summer water level. Get these right and you save electricity, water and motor repairs.
Step 1: Start with your water source
Openwell
If the water level stays within a few metres of the surface, a surface-mounted monoblock works well, provided the suction lift stays within about 6 metres. If the level falls sharply in summer, an openwell submersible that sits in the water avoids suction and priming problems.
Borewell
A borewell submersible must fit inside the casing with room for the cable. Many Telangana bores are several hundred feet deep, so set the pump below the lowest expected summer water level, with some margin. Our borewell pump size guide explains which pump size suits which bore diameter.
Farm pond, tank or canal
Pond or tank water is usually close to the surface, so a centrifugal or self priming monoblock is a simple choice.
If you are still deciding between well types, see openwell vs borewell submersible pumps.
Step 2: Match the pump to your irrigation method
Typical ranges are below; always check the requirements of your specific drip or sprinkler equipment.
| Irrigation method | Typical pressure at the field | Flow pattern | What it means for the pump |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flood or furrow | Very low | Large volume | Low head, high flow |
| Drip | About 1–1.5 kg/cm² (10–15 m) at the laterals | Moderate, over long hours | Moderate head, plus filter losses |
| Sprinkler (impact type) | About 2–3.5 kg/cm² (20–35 m) | Higher flow | Higher head and flow |
| Rain gun | Higher than sprinklers | High flow | Larger pump, usually three phase |
A useful conversion: 1 kg/cm² of pressure is roughly 10 metres of head.
Step 3: Estimate the flow you need
Drip irrigation
Multiply the number of drippers running at one time by the dripper discharge. Drip systems are normally split into sections (shifts) operated through valves, so the pump only serves one section at a time.
Example: one shift covering half an acre has about 4,000 drippers of 2 LPH each. Flow = 4,000 × 2 = 8,000 LPH, or about 133 LPM.
Sprinklers and flood irrigation
For sprinklers, multiply the number running together by the discharge of each, as stated by the manufacturer. For flood irrigation, flow depends on the area and how quickly you want to cover it.
Check the source yield. A pump that draws water faster than the well or bore recharges will eventually run dry. If your bore yield is limited, size the pump to the yield and irrigate in more shifts rather than buying a bigger pump.
Step 4: Calculate total head and HP
Total head for an irrigation pump is the sum of:
- Depth from ground level to the pumping water level in the well
- Height of the field or storage tank above the well, if any
- Friction losses in the rising main and field pipes
- Pressure needed at the drippers or sprinklers, expressed in metres
- Losses in filters, fertigation units and valves
Example, continuing the drip shift above:
| Component | Approximate head |
|---|---|
| Pumping water level in the borewell | 60 m (about 200 ft) |
| Pressure needed at the laterals | 12 m |
| Filter and fertigation losses | 5 m |
| Pipe friction | 8 m |
| Total head | About 85 m |
Using the rule of thumb water HP ≈ (LPM × head in metres) ÷ 4,500, we get 133 × 85 ÷ 4,500 ≈ 2.5 water HP. Allowing for a typical pump efficiency of around 50%, roughly 5 HP is a reasonable starting point; a shallow openwell could need far less. For the full method, read how to calculate pump head, flow and HP.
Step 5: Choose the pump type
| Farm situation | Arrot-z pump type to consider |
|---|---|
| Kitchen garden or small plot, shallow openwell, single phase supply | Heavy Duty Self Priming Monoblock (0.5–1 HP, 1440 RPM, high suction) |
| Small farm or garden, openwell, single phase supply | Single Phase Openwell Submersible (1–7.5 HP, 220V) |
| Orchards, horticulture and larger fields from an openwell, three phase supply | Three Phase Openwell Submersible (3–30 HP) |
| Transfer from a pond or tank, lawn sprinklers | Centrifugal Monoblock (3–10 HP, 2880 RPM) |
| Narrow 4½-inch borewells | V4 Slim (82 mm, up to 820 feet) |
| Small to medium borewells | V3 (73 mm) or V4 (96 mm, stainless steel option available) |
| Larger bores and higher flows for drip, sprinkler or community supply | V5 (125 mm) or V6 (142 mm), radial or mixed flow |
All Arrot-z borewell submersibles use copper rotors. As a general rule, radial flow designs suit higher heads, while mixed flow designs suit larger flows at moderate heads. Browse the full range in the products section.
Power supply on the farm
- Three phase is preferred for pumps above a few HP. Agricultural feeders often see low voltage, especially at the tail end of long rural lines, so choose a motor and starter suited to the actual supply.
- Protect the motor with a starter that has overload, single-phasing and dry-run protection. Single-phasing is one of the most common causes of burnt motors on farms.
- Use the right cable size for deep borewells. A long, thin cable causes voltage drop at the motor, raising current and heat.
Plan for summer and monsoon
Water tables in Telangana typically fall through summer and recover after the monsoon.
- Set the borewell pump depth based on the summer pumping level, not the post-monsoon level.
- Expect the pump to deliver less water in summer as the head increases.
- Use the monsoon period, when irrigation demand is lower, for servicing and maintenance.
Practical tips for drip and sprinkler users
- Install a screen or disc filter, plus a sand filter for openwell or pond water, before the drip system.
- Fit a pressure gauge after the filter so you can see whether the system is getting the pressure it needs.
- Flush laterals and clean filters regularly; clogged filters force the pump to work harder.
Need help choosing an irrigation pump?
Call +91-7799794047 or +91-9790854516 and tell Aqua Pump Engineer about your water source, depth or bore diameter, field size, irrigation method and power supply. The team can suggest a suitable pump over the phone.
Frequently asked questions
Which pump is best for drip irrigation?
The best pump for drip irrigation delivers the flow of one irrigation shift at the pressure the drippers need, typically around 1 to 1.5 kg/cm² at the laterals, plus filter and pipe losses. From a borewell this is a borewell submersible; from an openwell or pond, an openwell submersible or monoblock.
How much HP pump is required for 1 acre of drip irrigation?
It depends on the water level, how many drippers run in each shift and the distance to the field. As an illustration, a half-acre drip shift fed from a borewell with a pumping level around 60 metres may need a pump of roughly 5 HP, while a shallow openwell supplying the same shift could need much less. Calculate head and flow before choosing.
Can I use a monoblock pump for irrigation?
Yes, if the water level in the openwell, pond or canal stays within the pump's practical suction lift, usually well under 6 to 7 metres. For deeper or fluctuating water levels, an openwell submersible or borewell submersible is more reliable.
Why does my borewell pump give less water in summer?
In summer the groundwater level drops, so the pump lifts water higher and the bore may yield less. If the pump draws water faster than the bore recharges, it can run dry, so set the pump at the right depth and match its output to the yield.