Issues in Adoption of Drip and Conventional Irrigation Methods in Banana: A Socio-Economic Analysis of South Gujarat Region

Irrigation water management is a key input as well as a major constraint for assured and successful crop production. The adoption of drip irrigation method among the farmers of South Gujarat in water loving crops like banana is a wise tool for conservation of resources. However, this method has its own limitations which were ranked using the Garrett ranking technique. The study revealed that high initial capital investment, clogging of emitters due to water salinity and frequent damage of the system due to rodents, pigs and other animals were identified as the top three major problems faced by the farmers with a Garrett score of 81.59, 74.15 and 68.19, respectively. The farmers practicing conventional method of irrigation were of the opinion that wastage of water in the form of excess irrigation was the most acute problem and was ranked first with a Garrett score of 80.21, followed by high electricity usage (73.68) and problem of water logging (67.03). Hence, based on the ranking of these major constraints in adoption of drip irrigation technology; the study suggested ways and means to address these issues which would in turn help to reduce the considerable gap in the estimated achieved and achievable water savings.

• The top three constraints in case of drip irrigation method were high initial investment, clogging of emitters due to water salinity and frequent damage of the system due to rodents and other animals with a Garrett score of 81.59, 74.15 and 68.19, respectively.

• Similarly, in case of conventional irrigation methods wastage of water (80.21), followed by high electricity usage (73.68) and problem of water logging (67.03) were the major constraints identified.