How much does drip irrigation cost per acre for a wide spaced crop like cotton?

For a wide row crop like cotton where you run one lateral per row at about 4 to 5 feet spacing, the installed drip cost is on the lower side because you use fewer laterals per acre than a close spaced vegetable. As a rough range, inline drip for wide row crops often falls somewhere around 30,000 to 55,000 rupees per acre installed, while close spaced crops can run higher. The figure swings a lot with lateral spacing, dripper spacing, pipe class, filter type, and the brand, so treat any single number with caution. The big cost items are the laterals (more rows means more pipe), the main and sub-main, the filter and venturi at the head, and the fittings. Under PMKSY Per Drop More Crop the government share is often in the range of about 45 to 55 percent for small and marginal farmers and somewhat less for others, but the exact rate, the per acre cost ceiling the department will reimburse, and the empanelled company list all vary by state. Always get two or three written quotes from empanelled vendors and confirm the current subsidy rate and cost norm on your state micro irrigation portal before you commit.