Economic performance and water footprint of solar-powered automated drip irrigation for durian and mangosteen production

Abstract

The economic performance and water footprint of a solar-powered automated drip irrigation system (SPADIS) with those of a conventional sprinkler emitter irrigation system (CSEIS) for durian and mangosteen production in farmer-managed orchards in Chanthaburi Province, Thailand, over the 2023-2024 production period were investigated. SPADIS had a higher initial installation cost, at approximately 52,500 THB/rai, compared with 17,000 THB/rai for CSEIS. However, its annual operating cost was considerably lower, ranging from approximately 3,000 to 3,600 THB/rai/year, compared with 10,800-11,700 THB/rai/year for CSEIS, largely because no electricity cost was required for irrigation. When the savings in operating costs were considered together with the higher crop returns, the additional investment in SPADIS was recovered in approximately 2 years and 9 months. The water footprint was also lower with SPADIS for both crops. In 2024, the water footprint was 0.38 m³/kg for durian and 0.33 m³/kg for mangosteen, both substantially lower than the corresponding values under CSEIS. Overall, SPADIS provided lower operating costs and more efficient water use than the conventional system, indicating its potential for reducing production costs and improving water management in perennial fruit orchards.