Electric Pumps, Groundwater, Agriculture and Water Buyers: Evidence from West Bengal

Irrigation with electric pumps is cheaper than diesel in West Bengal where electricity and are unsubsidised, pump owners typically irrigate their winter rice crop often sell water to farmers who do not own pumps. Using purposefully selected primary data, we examine whether electric-pump have greater access production during the monsoon seasons compared diesel-pump buyers. We also pump-owners provide irrigation services through sales. find that ownership increased agricultural outputs both at extensive intensive margins seasons. The number of clients served by was those owners, but there only a small difference total irrigated areas, suggesting smaller land holdings. evidence indicates an environment inadequate has been one factors constraining agriculture, potential support growth generate pro-poor side effects.