What does a drip system for a close spaced vegetable crop cost per acre?

Close spaced vegetables such as onion, tomato, or chilli need laterals every 1 to 2.5 feet, sometimes paired laterals on a bed, so you lay far more pipe per acre than cotton or sugarcane. That pushes the installed cost up. As a broad range the figure often sits around 50,000 to 80,000 rupees per acre and can go higher for very close paired lateral layouts on raised beds, but it depends heavily on lateral spacing, dripper spacing, pipe wall thickness, filtration, and brand, so do not lock onto one number. The main cost drivers are the quantity of lateral pipe, the dripper density, and the filter and fertigation head. Under PMKSY Per Drop More Crop the subsidy is often roughly 45 to 55 percent for small and marginal farmers with the department applying a per acre cost norm, so your reimbursement is capped to that norm and not your full bill. Rates, norms, and the empanelled vendor list differ by state, so confirm the current numbers on your state micro irrigation portal and get written quotes from at least two empanelled companies before deciding.