Impact of Solar Water Pumps Adoption on Crop Productivity and Farm Profitability in Rain fed Areas of Northeast Karnataka, India

Abstract

In Northeast Karnataka, energy constraints often hinder irrigation and limit crop productivity. To address this, solar-powered irrigation pump units were introduced to improve water accessibility for marginal and medium farmers in the Yadgir district. This study evaluates the impact of these pumps on productivity and profitability across three intervention blocks. Data was collected from 25 purposively selected beneficiaries through personal interviews, comparing pre-intervention (2021-2022) and post-intervention (November 2024) outcomes. Key metrics included changes in irrigation methods, energy sources, irrigated land holdings, crop cycles, yields, and income. The results show a significant shift from traditional methods; the number of farmers using flood irrigation dropped from 15 to 6, while adoption of sprinkler systems increased. Overall, land utilization grew by 47%, yields by 84%, and income per acre by 136%. These findings demonstrate that solar powered irrigation pumps serve as a sustainable, superior alternative to fossil fuel and electric sets, enabling farmers to cultivate high-value crops and significantly boost their net income.