The study examined the economic aspects of coconut cultivation under conventional and drip irrigated coconut systems in the Palakkad district of Kerala. Data were collected from 50 drip-irrigated farms (DIF) and 50 conventionally irrigated farms (CIF) across two blocks of the district. The findings indicated that CIF have higher cost of cultivation compared to the DIF. The higher cost of cultivation under CIF was mainly attributed to their higher irrigation cost (30 per cent higher than that of DIF). The annual maintenance cost of DIF was 11 per cent lower than CIF. The yield from drip irrigated farms was 19,035 nuts/ha, which was 10 per cent higher than that of CIF. The net returns were ₹70,470/ha/year for drip irrigated farms and ₹30,543/ha/year for conventionally irrigated farms. DIF was found to be better performing with respect to higher productivity, higher net returns and lower cost of cultivation.

Coconut cultivation, drip irrigated farms (DIF), conventionally irrigated farms (CIF), economics, yield, returns

The study highlights the economic advantages of drip irrigation over conventional methods in coconut farming. While the establishment costs for both systems were similar due to conventional irrigation system during the initial phase in both the regimes. There were significant differences in maintenance and irrigation costs between two regimes. Drip irrigation could reduce annual maintenance costs by 11 per cent and irrigation costs by 30 per cent, primarily due to lower labour and energy expenses. Drip irrigation systems delivered significantly better results, with yields of 19,035 nuts per hectare per year and net returns of ₹70,470 per hectare per year, exceeding the ₹30,543 per hectare returns from conventional farms by more than double. This underscores its economic benefit and making it a viable and sustainable option for farmers in the study area.

Rinshina. T. and Seenath P. (2025). Economics of Conventional and Drip Irrigated Coconut Cultivation in Palakkad, Kerala. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 17(1): 48-51.