ECONOMIC-ANALYSIS OF TRICKLE IRRIGATION SYSTEM CONSIDERING PLANTING GEOMETRY

The aim of the present study is to determine the effect of the plantin g geometry on yield, capital cost, operating cost and net return for t he banana crop planted in a 1-ha(2) area and irrigated using a trickle irrigation system. The cost analysis was carried out based on yield r esults obtained under different planting geometry pattern at 2 m, 3 m. 4 m and 5 m row spacing for one to four plants transplanted separatel y at a place, always with the same number of plants per hectare. The n et return was found to be maximum for one plant at a place at 2-m spac ing. It was found that the length to breadth ratio of planting has hig h correlation with the initial capital cost and the total annual cost. The highest return in investiment was obtained at 4-m spacing with 2 plants per location. Analysis was carried out to study the effect of m arket price of banana, water price and irrigation level (IL) on B/C ra tio and net return. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.