Assessment of Comparative Economics and Water Use Pattern between Drip Irrigation System and Conventional Irrigation System in Kinnow Cultivation of Punjab

The present study was undertaken to assess the comparative economics and water use pattern between drip irrigation system and conventional irrigation system in kinnow cultivation by collecting data from 200 farmers (100 each) in four districts of Punjab which were selected purposively i.e. Bathinda, Fazilka, Hoshiarpur and Sri Muktsar Sahib/Faridkot. Data were collected by following interview schedule approach. Findings of the study revealed that in case of drip irrigation system, large majority of the respondents were using their pump sets for 1-2 hrs per irrigation/acre while in case of conventional irrigation system, majority of the respondents were using their pump sets for 2-3 hrs/acre on an average. The number of irrigation under drip irrigation system was 125 days/year while in conventional irrigation system it was 18-20 irrigation /year on an average. Considerable savings on fertilizer and pesticide application, weeding and intercultural operations, irrigation application and training and pruning was observed in drip irrigation system. Productivity of kinnow was significantly higher (154.50 quintal/acre) in drip irrigated orchard as compared to conventional irrigated orchard (140.83 quintal/acre).