Indian Journal of Science and Technology

Abstract

Objective: Tamil Nadu is leading in installation of drip irrigation system among the various states of India The study attempted to identify the constraints in adoption of drip irrigation system among the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) beneficiaries in Dharmapuri, Salem and Erode Districts of Tamil Nadu state. Method: The data were collected by personal interview method. The constraints were classified into, technical, infrastructural, financial and educational constraints. The respondents were asked to mention the various constraints faced by them in adoption of drip irrigation system. The constraints were ranked by using Garrett Ranking method. Findings : The technical constraints faced by the PMKSY beneficiaries in adoption of drip irrigation technology were ‘not suitable for field crops’ (74.38), ‘clogging of drippers by suspended materials’ (62.82), required frequent maintenance (59.71), difficult to maintain optimum pressure to discharge water (50.85) and etc., The infrastructural constraints faced by the PMKSY beneficiaries in adoption of drip irrigation technology were insufficient supply of electricity for irrigation field (72.76), poor after sales service of the companies (62.90), non-availability technical staff (55.65) inadequate distribution network in rural areas (41.56), non-availability of spare parts in time (39.11) and poor quality of pipes and micro-tubes (38.06). High cost of maintenance (89.38), ‘high cost of equipment / spare parts’ (86.11), requirement of additional tank to get optimum pressure (81.86), provision of poor subsidy (80.75), tedious loaning procedure (77.88) and high cost of liquid fertilizer (72.20) were the financial constraints encountered by the farmers in adoption of drip irrigation system. The Educational constraints faced by the PMKSY beneficiaries were perceived as inadequate awareness about the advantage of drip irrigation technology (73.15). Novelty: A unique aspect of the proposed research findings of constraints, use policy-maker based on the researchfindings, recommendations for future research management implications are addressed.

Keywords: Drip Irrigation; PMKSY; Constraints; Adoption; Dripper; Micro Tubes; Technical Know How