Impact of Groundwater Over-draft on Farm Income and Efficiency in Crop Production

• Main Authors: Sharif, Mahin, Ashok, K.R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.12.2011
• Subjects: Agricultural and Food Policy; Farm income; Groundwater; Over-draft; Q12; Q15; Q25; Technical efficiency; Water-use efficiency

In this study, the cost of groundwater extraction, impact of groundwater depletion on farm income, wateruseefficiency, technical efficiency in crop production and costs of groundwater depletion among differentcategories of farmers have been reported. The study has been conducted in the Chamarajanagar district ofthe Karnataka state, where groundwater is the major source of irrigation. Data have been collected fromover-exploited, semi-critical and safe villages. The study has shown a wide difference between large andsmall farms in their access to groundwater resource in terms of cost. The functional analysis has revealedthat farm income is lower in over-exploited and semi-critical villages compared to safe villages. The meantechnical efficiency in crop production has been found highest among farmers in over-exploited villages.The total cost of groundwater depletion has been reported more in over-exploited villages and the costincreases with increase in the size of holding. The impact of this cost would be maximum on small andmarginal farmers because of their low resource base and limited means of income. The study has emphasizedon the need for incentivising for efficient use of groundwater by adopting efficient irrigation technologieslike drip, sprinkler, etc. to ensure livelihood security.