Socio-Economic Profiling of Drip Irrigation Technology Adopters in Cotton Cultivation-A Comparative Study in Three States of India

Cotton, a highly water demanding yet economically significant crop, is particularly well-suited for drip irrigation systems. However, despite the well-documented advantages of drip irrigation, its adoption in cotton cultivation remains modest at around 20 percent. The uptake of this technology is influenced by several factors, with the socio-economic characteristics of farmers playing a crucial role. This gap between proven benefits and limited adoption prompts a key question: which socio-economic and contextual determinants affect the diffusion of drip irrigation technology? Extension research thus plays an essential role in identifying whether socio-economic differences exist among drip irrigation adopters across different states. Accordingly, the present study was conducted to systematically analyze the variations in socio-economic profiles of drip irrigation adopters in three major cotton-growing states of India i.e., Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu. A structured survey design was used, involving 120 drip-irrigating cotton farmers from each state, making a total sample size of 360 respondents. The research objectives were addressed using well-established methodologies and rigorous analytical approaches. Results indicated that variables such as age, education, and experience in drip irrigation showed no significant differences among farmers across the three states, while factors including cotton farming experience, farm size, and operational area under drip irrigation were found to differ significantly among them. The study's findings are expected to contribute to policy development and guide strategic initiatives to enhance drip irrigation adoption in cotton farming.