Irrigation Cost Calculator
Electric, Diesel, Drip & Flood Comparison

For small and marginal farmers, canal/flood irrigation is cheapest where canal access exists (typically Rs.500–2,000/acre/season). Where canal is unavailable, electric pump irrigation is cheapest where agricultural tariff is subsidised (Rs.1–3/unit in Punjab, UP, Karnataka, AP — even free in some states).

Diesel pump is always the most expensive operating option at 2–3x the cost of electric. Use diesel only where there is absolutely no electricity access.

Drip irrigation has high upfront cost (Rs.40,000–60,000/acre) but becomes cheapest over 10 years after the 45% PMKSY subsidy and water/energy savings. Best for vegetables, horticulture, cotton, sugarcane.

For a typical 5HP electric pump at Rs.6/unit tariff, 6 hrs/day for 30 days, on 2 acres:

Power = 5 × 0.746 = 3.73 kW. Units/hour at 70% efficiency = 5.33 units. Daily = 32 units. Seasonal = 960 units. Total cost = Rs.5,760. Cost per acre = Rs.2,880/season.

In states with free or Rs.1/unit tariff (Punjab, UP, parts of Rajasthan), the cost drops to Rs.0–960/acre/season. At Rs.3/unit, cost is Rs.1,440/acre. Diesel pump for the same HP and hours costs Rs.6,000–10,000/acre/season.

Yes, for most crops — especially vegetables, fruit orchards, cotton, sugarcane, and flowers. The economics:

Before subsidy: Rs.40,000–60,000/acre installation. After 45% PMKSY subsidy: net Rs.22,000–33,000/acre.

Annual benefits: 40–50% water saving, Rs.2,000–3,000/acre electricity saving, 15–25% higher yield from better moisture management, reduced weed growth, fertigation efficiency.

Typical payback period: 5–8 years with the system lasting 10–12 years. Drip is less suited for paddy and broadcast-sown crops like wheat.

PMKSY (Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana) is India's flagship water mission. Its "Per Drop More Crop" component funds micro-irrigation (drip + sprinkler).

Subsidy rates: Small/marginal farmers (land ≤ 2 ha): 45% central + state top-up. Other farmers: 35% + state top-up. Total subsidy can reach 55–80% in some states (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh).

How to apply: (1) Visit state Horticulture/Agriculture Department or portal; (2) Submit land records (7/12 or Khasra), Aadhaar, bank passbook; (3) Get technical approval from department engineer; (4) Purchase from approved vendor list; (5) Claim subsidy after installation verification.

Paddy (rice): 1,200–2,000 mm/season — the most water-intensive kharif crop. Requires 8–12 irrigations even with adequate rainfall. In water-scarce areas, consider the SRI (System of Rice Intensification) method which can reduce water use by 25–50% with equal or better yields.

Wheat: Just 350–400 mm/season (4–6 irrigations). A relatively water-efficient rabi crop.

Other crops: Sugarcane (1,500–2,500 mm/year), Cotton (700–1,200 mm), Vegetables (400–600 mm), Soybean (400–500 mm), Mustard (250–300 mm — often rain-fed).

Tip: Matching crop choice to local rainfall reduces irrigation frequency and cost significantly.

Flood/surface irrigation: Water is released at one or more points and flows across the field. Water use efficiency is only 40–50% — rest lost to evaporation, runoff, and deep percolation. Low setup cost. Labour-intensive. Promotes weed growth. Unsuitable for hilly or undulating terrain.

Micro-irrigation (drip + sprinkler): Water delivered directly at or near the root zone. Drip efficiency: 90–95%. Sprinkler efficiency: 75–85%. Benefits include 40–60% water saving, 15–25% yield improvement, reduced labour, fertigation capability (apply fertiliser through drip lines), lower disease incidence from reduced leaf wetness.

The government's PMKSY promotes micro-irrigation because India faces a serious agricultural water crisis — 89% of freshwater is used by agriculture. Switching 10% of flood-irrigated area to drip would save enough water to irrigate an additional 20 million hectares.