Economics of Growing Okra under Drip Fertigation

Objective: To study the economic viability of Okra crop grown under different drip fertigation levels and different drip irrigation subsidy percentages. Methods: The field experiment was done at the research farm of department of Soil and Water Engineering, PAU, Ludhiana, India during 2014-15. The Nine drip fertigation treatments consisted of T1 - 60% fertilizer Nitrogen (N) with irrigation applied at 0.60 IW/CPE (irrigation water/cumulative pan evaporation) ratio, T2 - 60% fertilizer (N) with 0.80 IW/CPE ratio, T3 - 60% N with 1.00 IW/CPE ratio, T4 - 80% N with 0.60 IW/CPE ratio, T5 - 80% N with 0.80 IW/CPE ratio, T6 - 80% N with 1.00 IW/CPE ratio, T7 - 100% N with 0.60 IW/CPE ratio, T8 - 100% N with 0.80 IW/CPE ratio and T9 - 100% N with 1.00 IW/CPE ratio. Economical viability of drip fertigation was evaluated by computing Benefit-Cost ratio (B/C ratio) for each of drip fertigation treatment obtained by dividing gross returns by total seasonal cost. Economic analysis was done as per the cost involved in drip irrigation system components and requirement of fertilizer for one hectare area. The seasonal cost of growing okra under drip fertigation was calculated by considering depreciation, life of components, interest, fertilizers, insecticide, labors and cost of cultivation of growing Okra. Findings: In case of no drip irrigation subsidy, 60% drip irrigation subsidy and 75% drip irrigation subsidy, maximum B/C ratio was obtained in T5 treatment (2.25), (2.82) and (3.01) respectively; while minimum B/C ratio was obtained in T1 treatment (1.52), (1.9) and (2.03), respectively. The statistical analysis revealed that combination of fertilizers and irrigation levels had significant effect on B/C ratio of Okra production. Conclusion: It is economically viable to grow okra under drip fertigation with 80% fertilizer (N) along with irrigation applied at 0.80 IW/CPE ratio, only if drip irrigation subsidy provided by the government is higher than 30%.