Title: FACTORS AFFECTING AND CONSTRAINTS FACED BY BANANA GROWERS IN ADOPTION OF DRIP IRRIGATION TECHNOLOGY

Authors: Rachana Bansal and Riya Parmar

Publisher: The President, Society of Extension Education Gujarat

Keywords: adoption, capital, drip, odd ratio, water

Volume: 39

Issue: 2

Year: June 2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56572/gjoee.2025.39.2.0015

Abstract: This study identifies the factors influencing and constraints faced by farmers in the adoption of drip irrigation technology for banana cultivation, as India is the largest producer of bananas globally. The analysis revealed that younger, educated farmers with larger farm sizes and greater farming experience were more likely to adopt the drip irrigation method. In contrast, larger family size had a negative impact on the adoption decision. The Odds Ratios (OR) for key variables-age (0.99), literacy level (1.40), farming experience (1.07), and farm size (1.20)-highlight the extent to which a one-unit change in these variables influences the likelihood of adopting drip irrigation. Among the benefits, respondents ranked less water requirement" as the most important reason for adopting the technology, followed by "reduced labour requirement" and "higher and better-quality yield." On the other hand, the major constraints to adoption included fragmented land holdings, inadequate or inconsistent electricity supply, high initial capital investment, problems caused by rodents or pigs, and clogging of drippers. In light of these findings, it is recommended that drip irrigation companies focus on developing cost-effective systems, while government agencies should continue their intensive efforts to promote the adoption of drip irrigation through awareness campaigns, subsidies, and infrastructure support.