Drip Subsidy & Net Cost & What Drip Really Costs You
Cuts the cost
Enter the cost per acre, your area, the subsidy percentage and the annual saving to get the net cost after subsidy, the gross cost, the subsidy amount, the annual saving and the payback period.
Enter your drip plan
Next: apply for the subsidy before buying (reimbursement needs approval), and the ~₹67,500 net cost pays back in ~0.9 yr from savings.
Subsidy rates and caps vary by state, scheme and farmer category; saving estimates depend on the crop and the system replaced.
Drip subsidy — key facts
- Gross cost
- cost per acre × area
- Subsidy
- gross × subsidy%
- Net cost
- gross − subsidy
- Payback
- net cost ÷ annual saving
- Typical payback
- ≈ 1–2 years
- Apply first
- before buying (reimbursement)
- Scheme
- e.g. PMKSY-PDMC (verify rates)
- Privacy
- Runs in your browser; nothing uploaded
Drip is cheaper than the sticker price suggests
Drip looks expensive until you account for the subsidy. Micro-irrigation schemes cover a large share of the system cost, so the net amount you actually pay is far smaller than the quote. Then the savings stack up — less water, less pumping power, less labour, plus a yield and quality gain from precise watering and fertigation — and they often recover that net cost in just one or two years. Few farm investments pay back that fast.
This tool computes the net cost, the gross cost, the subsidy amount, the annual saving, the payback and the net cost per acre in 8 currencies. Remember to apply for the subsidy before buying, since reimbursement needs prior approval, and check that rates and caps for your state, scheme and farmer category. Pair it with the Drip Irrigation, Drip Water Saving and Solar Pump ROI tools to plan the full system.
See the real cost
What drip costs you after the subsidy.
Value the savings
Water, power and labour saved each year.
Know the payback
How fast the net cost comes back.
Apply the right way
Get approval before you buy the system.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the drip cost after subsidy calculated?+
Gross cost = cost per acre × area. The subsidy = gross cost × subsidy percentage, and the net cost you actually pay = gross cost − subsidy. The payback = net cost ÷ annual saving. The tool shows the gross cost, the subsidy amount, the net cost, the net cost per acre and the payback, so you can see the full picture before you buy.
How much subsidy is available on drip?+
Micro-irrigation subsidies often cover a big share of the system cost — frequently around 45–55%, and more for small, marginal and special-category farmers in some states. Rates, caps and per-area limits vary by state, scheme and farmer category, so enter the percentage you actually qualify for rather than assuming a national figure.
Does drip really pay back the rest in 1–2 years?+
Often, yes. After the subsidy the net cost is modest, and drip delivers real savings on water, pumping power and labour, plus a yield and quality gain from precise watering and fertigation. Add those annual savings up and the net cost is commonly recovered in one or two seasons — which is why drip is one of the highest-return farm investments.
What counts as the annual saving?+
Include the value of water saved (especially where water is paid or scarce), lower electricity or diesel for pumping, reduced labour for irrigation, savings on fertiliser through fertigation, and the extra income from higher, better-quality yield. The tool takes your total annual saving and uses it to work out the payback on the net cost.
Should I apply for the subsidy before buying?+
Yes — almost always apply and get approval before purchasing. Most schemes are reimbursement- or sanction-based and won't pay for systems bought before approval, and they require an empanelled supplier and proper documentation. Buying first can cost you the entire subsidy, so confirm the process with your agriculture/horticulture department first.
Which scheme funds drip irrigation?+
In India, micro-irrigation is supported under PMKSY — Per Drop More Crop (PDMC), implemented through state agriculture or horticulture departments. Names, rates and caps differ by state and may change year to year. Use the subsidy percentage that applies to you, and verify current terms with the official scheme guidelines before planning.
Does the subsidy depend on my crop or land size?+
Often, yes. Many schemes set per-hectare cost norms, area ceilings and different rates for different crops (e.g. horticulture vs field crops) and farmer categories. Spacing also changes the cost per acre — wide-spaced crops need less lateral and emitter material than close-spaced ones. Enter your real cost per acre and qualifying rate for an accurate figure.
Can I use this outside India?+
Yes. The maths — gross cost, subsidy, net cost and payback — applies to any micro-irrigation grant scheme. Choose your currency and enter your local cost per acre, the grant percentage you qualify for, and your expected annual saving. The India-specific scheme names are only examples of how such subsidies work.
How accurate is the cost per acre I should enter?+
Use a real quote for your crop spacing, system type (inline/online drip), filtration and automation, from an empanelled supplier where required. Costs vary widely with spacing and components, so a generic figure can mislead. The more accurate your cost per acre and subsidy rate, the more reliable the net cost and payback the tool reports.
Is this an official sanction figure?+
No — it's a planning estimate. The actual subsidy follows the current scheme norms, cost ceilings and your department's approval. Use this tool to see roughly what drip will cost you after subsidy and how quickly it pays back, then confirm the exact amounts and process with the official scheme and an empanelled supplier.