A Comparative Analysis of Adopters and Non‐adopters of Drip Irrigation under Plastic Tunnels for Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) Production in Balochistan, Pakistan

Abstract

This research tries to compare the water use efficiency, electricity efficiency and economic efficiency of adopters and non‐adopters of drip irrigation under plastic tunnels (DIUPT). Data regarding the socio‐economic conditions of farmers and their views on the advantages and disadvantages of the DIUPT were collected through a questionnaire survey of 200 farmers. For expenses, income, electricity efficiency and water use efficiency, we collected data only from the sample farmers, i.e. one adopter and one non‐adopter. Results also revealed that the total horsepower (HP) hours of water per acre used for drip‐irrigated cucumber under plastic tunnels was 240 compared to 576 HP hours for the flood method of irrigation, thereby saving 58% (336 HP hours) of energy. In other words, with the same amount of water used for irrigating 1 acre of cucumber under flood irrigation, 2.4 acres of cucumber could be irrigated using drip irrigation. Realizing about 51% higher yields under drip irrigation, adopters enjoy 40% higher returns than non‐adopter farmers. The study recommends dissemination of information to farmers about DIUPT through training and seminars. Adoption of these technologies would lead to efficient and sustainable use of already depleting water resources in the drought‐prone province of Balochistan.