This study has assessed the impact of irrigation water users co-operative societies functioning in the Mula command area in Maharashtra. In all, 90 beneficiaries were selected from ‘Datta’, ‘Muktipur’ and ‘Bhairavnath’ Water Users Societies of Newasa tahsil (30 each from head, middle and tail region). Before (1998–99) and after (2006–07, 2007–08 and 2008–09) approach was adopted for collection and analysis of data. It was found that irrigated area has increased from 94.17 per cent to 97.67 per cent during this period. The increase in irrigated area was 19.75 per cent in the tail region and 7.72 per cent and 10.50 per cent in head and middle regions, respectively. The cash crops occupied a higher share in the cropping pattern. Employment of both male and female workers has increased substantially over the base year. The per farm net income had gone up by 178.42 per cent with B:C ratio of 1.56. The increased water-use efficiency and better management of resources under ‘Datta’, ‘Muktipur’ and ‘Bhairavnath’ Water Users Societies have resulted in increased gross cropped area by 15.66 per cent, productivity of crops by 6.14–13.48 per cent and employment by 63.64–76.17 per cent, which in turn had resulted into increase in total income by 76.40 per cent.
Irrigation water users societies, economic impact, Mula command area, Maharashtra
