The impact of electricity tariff on farmers behavior in the adjustment of farm plan and electricity consumption in irrigated regions of the Punjab [Pakistan]
2002
Ahmad, S. | Ali, I. | Akbar, S. (University of Arid Agriculture, Rawalpindi (Pakistan). Dept. of Economics)
The electricity tariff has been increasing over the years for agriculture sector For example. WAPDA charged agriculture tube-wells tariff on a flat rate basis prior to December. 1998 Afterwards, flat rates were abolished and metered supply tariff was imposed. Under the new tariff scheme electricity became much expensive for the farmers. The present study was conducted in Gujranwala Division in order to know farmer behavior regarding electricity consumption in view of the increase in electricity tariff. This was assessed by change in acreage under crops and reduction in electric tube-well irrigation supplied to crops during the season In all 150 farmers were interviewed in the study area Farmers were divided into two major groups, 1) shifter farmers who had disconnected electric tube-wells and shifted to diesel tube-wells for irrigation purposes, and 2) non-shifter farmers who did not disconnect electric tube-well but they either changed their farm plan by reducing acreage under crops and/or reduction in number of electric tube-well irrigation applied to crops. There were 67 non-shifter farmers in the study area (sample) out of which a) 20 farmers reduced acreage under wheat, rice, and sugarcane. b) the remaining 47 non-shifter farmers reduced number of irrigation applied to wheat. rice and sugarcane. The behavior of farmers in category (a) shows that electricity consumption declined by about 47 percent in case of rice. It declined by 28 and 21 percent in case of wheat and sugarcane, respectively. In category (b) the behavior of farmers shows that due to decline in number of irrigation electricity consumption declined by about 15 percent in case of rice. It declined by 25 and 21 percent in case of wheat and sugarcane, respectively.
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