Micro-irrigation is an advanced method of irrigation aiming at precise application of water and nutrients to the crop at appropriate time in appropriate quantity. The present study was conducted at Lower Bhavani Canal Command Area of Erode District, Tamil Nadu to analyze the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of micro irrigation. Results indicated uniformity in water distribution with equal pressure and less water requirement as major strengths as perceived by extension workers. The farm lands do not have same topography and slope in all the places and this was perceived as a prime weakness in installation of micro-irrigation system. Availability of bank loans with subsidy was the opportunity; Salt encrustation and non availability of spare parts were perceived as threats. The direct consequences of adoption of micro irrigation as reported by farmers include increased yield and thereby increased income. Development of reluctance in use of hybrid varieties of cash crops was the undesirable change. Increased outside contact, increased organizational participation by way of acquiring loans, change in source of credit and getting inputs in time were reported by the respondents as indirect consequences. The results discussed would enable the policy makers to formulate further developmental programmes and creation of infrastructural facilities for the socio-economic development of the farmers in canal command area

Keyword: Canal command area; Water