Citation:

Dr. P. A. Naidu. "Resource Efficiency Optimization in Red Chilli Cultivation: Comparative Analysis of Water and Fertilizer Usage between Precision and Traditional Farming Systems in Guntur District" International Research Journal of Economics and Management Studies, Vol. 4, No. 6, pp. 257-265, 2025.

Abstract:

Conventional red chilli farming in Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh, faces sustainability challenges due to inefficient resource utilization, characterized by uniform application of water and fertilizers across entire fields without considering spatial variability. This approach leads to substantial resource wastage, increased production costs, environmental degradation through groundwater depletion and soil contamination, and suboptimal crop performance. This research estimates efficiency gains, resource savings water and fertilizer, between precision and traditional farming in red chilli, by means of calculation of water and fertilizer use intensity, analyses trends of water and fertilizer use in precision farming in comparison with traditional methods, and studies how the optimized input use links with agricultural sustainability. A comparative analysis was conducted using secondary data from 100 red chilli farmers (60 traditional, 40 precision farming) in Guntur district during 2023-24. Data sources included Spices Board of India, Ministry of Agriculture reports, ICAR research publications, and state agricultural departments. Water consumption (liters/acre), fertilizer use (kg/acre and ₹/acre), and pesticide application rates were examined via descriptive statistics, independent sample t-tests, and correlation analysis. Resource efficiency was calculated as output-per-unit-input ratios, comparing traditional flood/furrow irrigation with precision drip systems and broadcast fertilization with site-specific nutrient management. Precision farming demonstrated statistically significant resource efficiency improvements: water usage reduced by 37.5% (from 37,500 to 23,500 liters/acre, t=5.73, p < 0.000), fertilizer consumption decreased by 33.3% (from 120 to 80 kg/acre, t=4.92, p < 0.000), while fertilizer costs increased marginally (₹5,750 vs. ₹7,500/acre) due to quality inputs in precision systems. Water-use efficiency (kg output per 1,000 liters) improved by 119% in precision farming (113.2 vs. 51.7 kg/1,000L). Correlation analysis revealed strong negative associations between technology adoption and resource usage (water: r=-0.78; fertilizer: r=-0.60), confirming technology-driven efficiency gains. Cost-benefit analysis showed precision farming achieved net profit of ₹42,500/acre versus ₹25,000/acre in traditional systems despite higher initial investments. Precision farming significantly enhances resource-use efficiency in red chilli cultivation through targeted application based on real-time crop requirements, achieving substantial water and fertilizer savings while maintaining or improving productivity. These findings validate precision agriculture as a sustainable intensification strategy addressing India's agricultural resource constraints and environmental concerns.

References:

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Keywords:

Resource Efficiency, Water Management, Fertilizer Optimization, Precision Agriculture, Sustainable Farming, Red Chilli Cultivation.