Assessment of irrigation water use efficiency under Ramthal Micro-Irrigation Project in Bagalkot district of Karnataka - An economic analysis

The study analysed water use efficiency under drip and Canal irrigation situations in Ramthal micro-irrigation project area. Total sample size was 120 farmers, 60 each owning drip irrigated farms (DIF) and canal irrigated farms (CIF). Results revealed that, implementation of the project ensured higher yield and net returns from major crops cultivated in DIF compared to CIF. Agronomic water productivity and economic water productivity of major crops were higher in DIF compared to CIF, ranging from 36 percent in green gram to 78 percent in chilli and from 59 percent in jowar to 84 percent in onion, respectively.