1Department of Agricultural Economics, Adhiparasakthi Horticultural College, G.B nagar, Kalavai, Tamil Nadu, India
2Department of Floriculture, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India
3Hort. Adhiparasakthi Horticultural College, G.B nagar, Kalavai, Tamil Nadu, India
*Corresponding author: kiruageco@gmail.com
Paper No. 1227
Increasing agricultural productivity with free and subsidized electricity has made Indian agriculture stuck in complex nexus of groundwater depletion and energy subsidies. The present study conducted in Northern districts of Vellore and Ranipet of Tamil Nadu aims to analyze the groundwater resources of the region and farmers’ understanding about the impacts of free electricity on groundwater depletion. Electricity is supplied at free of cost to farmers in Tamil Nadu which is seen as the biggest political agenda in the state. It was evident form the results of the study that majority of farmers use groundwater for irrigation and cultivate water intensive crops like paddy. About 60% of farmers have reported that they are aware of injudicious use of groundwater due to free electricity has caused groundwater depletion and about 62.50% of farmers are willing to pay for electricity.
⓿ Injudicious use of groundwater due to free electricity.
⓿ Increased well failure made farmers shift to micro-irrigation and low water intensive crops.
⓿ Farmers willing to pay for good quality electricity.
Water Energy nexus, Groundwater depletion, WTP, Electricity subsidy
