ABSTRACT
Drip irrigation in India has long been perceived in policy and research circles as the remit of large farmers; as a costly technology that mainly appeals to so-called gentlemen farmers. The low adoption rates of drip in India, however, have not stopped the government from promoting micro-irrigation (MI) technologies. In 2005, with the objective to promote efficient use of water in agriculture, the government of India launched a new centrally sponsored scheme (CSS) on MI. Furthermore, the state irrigation department was appointed as the governing body of the Gujarat Green Revolution Company (GGRC), its office was established on the premises of Gujarat State Fertilizers and Chemicals, and management staff was brought in on deputation from other government departments. The GGRC thus provides MI companies with good opportunities to make profits, particularly in the early years when the number of MI companies registered with GGRC was still small.
