Measuring Irrigation Subsidies in Andhra Pradesh and Southern India: An application of the GSI Method for quantifying subsidies

A study of irrigation subsidies in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Kerala estimated annual subsidies at US$575 million between 2004 and 2008, primarily covering interest on capital and operation and maintenance costs. The report notes that actual subsidies are likely higher due to the exclusion of smaller schemes and private groundwater electricity subsidies, and warns that poor data recording and cost overruns in incomplete projects hinder effective policy assessment.

• Between 2004 and 2008, irrigation subsidies in the south Indian states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Kerala were conservatively estimated at US$575 million annually.
• The estimated subsidy figure is a conservative minimum because the study excluded electricity subsidies for private groundwater irrigators and small- to medium-size irrigation schemes.
• Most subsidies were directed toward operation and maintenance (O&M) costs and interest on capital, exceeding the revenue from pollution abatement fees, hydro power generation, and irrigation services.
• Government data collection is fragmented across departments and lacks the organization necessary for accurate cost estimation, leading the study to recommend that water authorities provide public, organized information on revenues, costs, and subsidies.

APA

Charles,, P. P. M. G. (2011). Measuring Irrigation Subsidies in Andhra Pradesh and Southern India: An application of the GSI Method for quantifying subsidies. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/measuring-irrigation-subsidies-andhra-pradesh-and-southern-india-application

Chicago

Charles,, P. Palanisami,Kadiri Mohan,Mark Giordano,Chris. Measuring Irrigation Subsidies in Andhra Pradesh and Southern India: An application of the GSI Method for quantifying subsidies. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2011. https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/measuring-irrigation-subsidies-andhra-pradesh-and-southern-india-application.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Charles, |first1=P. Palanisami,Kadiri Mohan,Mark Giordano,Chris |title=Measuring Irrigation Subsidies in Andhra Pradesh and Southern India: An application of the GSI Method for quantifying subsidies |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=17 March 2011 |url=https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/measuring-irrigation-subsidies-andhra-pradesh-and-southern-india-application |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{charles2011measuring, author = {Charles,, P. Palanisami,Kadiri Mohan,Mark Giordano,Chris}, title = {{Measuring Irrigation Subsidies in Andhra Pradesh and Southern India: An application of the GSI Method for quantifying subsidies}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2011}, month = mar, url = {https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/measuring-irrigation-subsidies-andhra-pradesh-and-southern-india-application}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }