Hiremath, G KTalathi, J M2019-08-142019-08-142002No. of references 88http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810121545"The creamy section of rural socity with better access to institutional finance and large size of holding are able to invest on ground'Water development. This has pervasive effect on the economic conditions of farming and sustainability of water resource regime. Hence an attempt has been made for assessment of financial feasibility and resource use efficiency under ground water use. A multi-stage sampling technique was followed to draw a sample of 180 farmers fi-om three taluks of Thane district. The data on cropping pattern, irrigation structure and resources use pertained to the agricultural year 1996-97. The returns per hectare were Rs. 98,492 in traditional method of irrigation (TMI) and RS. 1,21,596 in modern method of irrigation (MMI) with per hectare employment of 393 and 311 mandays in TMI and MMI. The cost of irrigation per one lakh litres of water was Rs. 592.32, Rs. 219.73 and Rs. 353.46 in TMI and RS. 701.56, rs. 456.47 and Rs. 579.03 in MMI in dug well (DW), bore well (BW) and dug cum bore well (DCBW) respectively. The NPV, BCR and IRR were fairly higher in MMI over TMI. The internal rate of return (IRR) ranged from 87.38 per cent to 357.57 per cent across different well irrigation structure, due to high profitability in vegetable and fruit production. The payback period for well investment was 2 years. The technological change in output in different methods of irrigation was 19.41 per cent, which was mostly contributed by method of irrigation (14%). There was excess use of factors of production to the extent of 78 to 92 per cent in TMI and 30 to 87 per cent in MMI. This indicated larger scope for efficient use of factors of production in TMI as compared to MMI. In farms with TMI the quantity of water used was excess by 27 per cent over economic optimum while in farms with MMI it was marginally higher (0.38%) over economic optimum estimated. The saving in input use in MMI was observed for human labour (27%), bullock labour (34%), fertilizer (5%) and plant protection chemicals (16%). The actual quantity of water saved in MMI was to the extent of 54 per cent thereby reducing irrigation expenses by 81 per cent. The extent of ground water exploitation to the well yield in different well types was 44 to 76 per cent in farms with TMI and 54 to 65 per cent in farms with MMI. This revealed positive externality in ground water exploitation. The net returns per well in water marketing for non-agricultural purpose were estimated to the tune of Rs. 5.37 lakhs annually. Lack of adequate knowledge about modern method of irrigation (85%), poor quality of irrigation equipment (72%), poor knowledge about precise water requirement of crops (63%) and interval between irrigation (54%) and voltage fluctuation in electricity supply (63%) were the major constraints reported in irrigated farming. These constraints need attention from research and extension agencies for proper exploitation of ground water. This study suggested for popularizing modern (drip) method of irrigation to reduce conveyance losses and wastage of water and further it has advantage of saving in factors of production."ennullThesis