INTRODUCTION Flooding is the most common irrigation method practiced by the farmers in Punjab, Pakistan, having water use efficiency less than 50 %. Such low irrigation efficiencies at farm level is a major constraint in attaining potential production from highly productive agricultural lands. In addition, more than 40 % of canal water is being lost between mogha/ outlet and farmers’ fields due to poor condition of tertiary conveyance system (watercourses) (Rizwan et al., 2019). Due to uneven fields and poor farm designing, a significant (25%) of irrigation water is lost during its application (Kaur et al., 2012; Aslam et al., 2018; Anjum et al., 2019). This leads to excessive application to low-lying areas and under-irrigation at higher spots. Over-irrigation leaches soluble nutrients from the crop root zone, makes the soil less productive, and degrades groundwater quality. Under-irrigation of elevated parts of the fields results in accumulation of salts besides causing water stress and injurious effects of the applied fertilizer. Moreover, crop water requirements are not being met timely because of supply based irrigation water delivery system i.e. warabandi, which has negatively affected the overall agricultural production (Bakhsh et al., 1994). In Punjab, various types of irrigation techniques can be used at the farm to increase water productivity. The modern irrigation techniques are efficient enough to supply irrigation water uniformly to the entire field, so that each plant has the amount of water according to its needs (Yaseen et al., 2028). Each technology, however, works at the best under its suitable land and water conditions. For example, sprinkler irrigation is mostly suitable under undulating terrain where otherwise it is difficult to apply irrigation water through gravity. Similarly, drip irrigation is highly suitable for point application of irrigation water especially for orchards. Both sprinkler and drip are considered as high efficiency irrigation systems. Drip irrigation system is most commonly used as HEIS for water saving in Pakistan. Drip irrigation is considered as the most efficient irrigation technology, which can enhance water application efficiency by 98% (Bakhsh et al, 2015), increase in crop yields by 100 % (Anjum et al., 2014), save in fertilizer use by 25 % (Vijayakumar et al., 2010). It is especially suitable to orchards and in tunnel farming for growing high value crops. Tunnel farming with drip irrigation can make earnings of Rs. 1.24 to 1.98 million per hectare annually (Bakhsh et al., 2015). Many studies (Chauhdary et al., 2015; 2017; 2019; 2020) have been conducted on drip irrigation to Pak. J. Agri. Sci., Vol. 57(5), 1303-1315; 2020 ISSN (Print) 0552-9034, ISSN (Online) 2076-0906 DOI:10.21162/PAKJAS/20.9343 http://www.pakjas.com.pk ADOPTION OF HIGH EFFICIENCY IRRIGATION SYSTEM (HEIS) IN PUNJAB, PAKISTAN: CHALLENGES AND OPTIONS Allah Bakhsh 1,* , Asghar Ali 2,* , Junaid Nawaz Chauhdary 1,3 , Mehran Hussain 2 and Furqan Aslam 1 1 Department of Irrigation and Drainage, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan; 2 Institute of Agri. and Resource Economics, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan; 3 Water Management Research Centre, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan *Corresponding author’s e-mail: bakhsh@uaf.edu.pk; asghar.ali@uaf.edu.pk The present study was undertaken to conduct a detailed survey in all agronomic zones of Punjab, Pakistan to find out the factors responsible for impeding adoption of High Efficiency Irrigation Systems (HEIS) among the farmers. A sample of 242 respondents (farmers and other stakeholders i.e. manufacturers and service provide rs, NGO’s and Government officials) were interviewed, using three comprehensive pretested questionnaires. The respondents comprised four categories i.e. HEIS adopters of drip and sprinkler, those who adopted HEIS but discontinued, those who did not adopt HEIS named as non- adopters, and professionals. The analysis prioritized the factors as financial issues, less backup support/repair and maintenance, intensive supervision, non-availability of skilled operator, small land holdings, absentee land owners and certain operational problems. The motives behind farmers’ decision to adopt HEIS were also analyzed empirically, using Endogenous Switching Regression (ESR) technique. The ESR results complemented the inferences, derived from descriptive data analysis. The ESR analysis indicated that farmers having favorable resource base, young and having better access to education / awareness (formal and informal) along with other indicators such as availability of skilled operator, frequent contacts with professionals and non- occurrence of financial issues increased chances to adopt HEIS. Based on these results, it is suggested that level of awareness, education and training of farmers need to be enhanced. It is proposed to launch skill development programs at demonstration farms to train youth for growing high value crops, using HEIS through enabling environment and providing backup support to make farming a profitable business. Keywords: Adoption, Drip Irrigation, Endogenous Switching Regression, Sprinkler Irrigation.