The correct answer is: d) Areas with deep water tables.
Lift irrigation schemes are used to pump water for irrigation in areas where the water table is too deep to be reached by gravity-fed irrigation systems. This is often the case in areas with arid or semi-arid climates, where the water table is typically much lower than in areas with more rainfall.
There are a number of different types of lift irrigation schemes, but they all work by pumping water from a source, such as a well or a river, to a higher elevation where it can be used for irrigation. The most common type of lift irrigation scheme is a deep well pump, which uses a centrifugal pump to lift water from a deep well. Other types of lift irrigation schemes include surface lift pumps, which use a piston or diaphragm pump to lift water from a shallow well or river, and treadle pumps, which use a foot pedal to operate a piston pump.
Lift irrigation schemes can be very effective in areas with deep water tables, but they can also be expensive to install and operate. The cost of a lift irrigation scheme will vary depending on the type of pump used, the depth of the water table, and the amount of water that needs to be pumped. The cost of operating a lift irrigation scheme will also vary depending on the cost of electricity or fuel, which is used to power the pump.
Despite the high cost, lift irrigation schemes can be a very effective way to irrigate crops in areas with deep water tables. They can help to increase crop yields and improve food security in these areas.