Achieving agricultural pumpset efficiency in rural India

Throughout India, the operation of lift irrigation systems ('pumpsets') is grossly inefficient, resulting in massive over-consumption of energy and inadequate irrigation, limiting agricultural productivity growth and resulting in the reduced welfare of smallholder farmers. This paper examines the potential for pumpset 'rectification', a development intervention being considered for large-scale programmes by a number of state agencies in India. Assessing the energy demand for centrifugal pumpsets at the national level, it outlines a practical methodology for applying rectification in the field. The results of the analysis indicate that rectifications can be very cost-effective and can be applied on a broad scale. Institutional and policy implications are derived for ensuring that rectifications will be effective, sustainable, and will maximize the benefits to India's farmers. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.