Why 100% Adoption Rate is Unachievable even with 100% Subsidy? A study on adoption of Micro Irrigation Systems (MIS) among small and marginal farmers in Southern India

S. Kiruthika and D. Suresh Kumar
DOI:10.46852/2249-6637.02.2023.2

Abstract:

Micro Irrigation systems have been at the forefront in policy making because of its significant impact on saving water resource,

enhanced agricultural productivity and enriched nutritional quality. Considering the importance of MIS, this study has been

undertaken in Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu, India to determine why MIS have not been adopted to the expected level among

small and marginal farmers when the state government provides 100% subsidy and to find out the reasons for discontinuation

of the technology. Employing Logit model, it is found that the adoption of the technology is significantly influenced by farming

experience and years of education of the farmers, income from non-farm and off-farm activities and area under wider spaced

crops. Factors like negative perception towards the technology and non-availability of technical support leads to dis-adoption of

the technology. Modifying the specifications on subsidy will result in increased adoption and also decreased dis-adoption of the

technology.

An 100% subsidy is given to small and marginal farmers of Tamil Nadu for using drip and sprinkler adoption rate among farmers is low.
Modification in component specifications may improve adoption rate by farmers.