Evaluation of the effects of water management interventions on crop production and livelihood in Odisha agro-ecologies

The paper assessed the impact of water management technological interventions in different agro-ecosystems in Odisha. Questionnaire based farmer's response and focus group discussion at the intervention site of tank-cumwell system in high rainfall area, sub-surface water harvesting structure in coastal area and two stage rain water harvesting techniques in mid table land areas were the basis for impact analysis during 2015–17. Mixed and diverse response were observed in terms of physical status of irrigation structures, their current utilization pattern and existing crop production practices. On the basis of farmers’ responses at tank-cum-well system intervention site under sloppy land situation, the benefit obtained due to dug wells and water harvesting structures was initially up to 68% higher rice yield (from 2.25 to 3.8 t/ha) which at present is still 15% higher (2.60 t/ha) with 33% increased cropping intensity. Dug wells are found to be maintained better as compared to water harvesting structures. Results of the two-stage rain water harvesting reveals that the benefit gained by the farmers due to utilization of additional water resources was quite good and the sustainability of lowland pond is significant. The farmers getting benefit of rice yield from 1.6 to 3.5 t/ha, 119% increase from pre-adoption period by the farmers is found persistent. The field assessment of sub surface water harvesting structures revealed that the created structures are still maintained even after 12 years of exit plan and benefits in Rabi rice yield is about 7.1% (from 6.7 to 7.18 t/ha) with 108% (from 0.28 to 0.58 t/ha) increase in fish yield compared to pre-adoption period. The technology has also expanded in other fields and impact of the structures on increasing productivity of Rabi and summer crops, cropping intensity and generating supplemental income through pisciculture is found evident. Further, livelihood also measured based on the assets pattern over the pre adoption period and are measured based on a 5-point continuum scale. Assets pattern among beneficiary shown an impressive improvement from 52 to 86% across the study village. Maximum gain was recorded at sub-surface water structure, where 86% improvement recorded leads to further investment in farm pond for fish farming. Repairing of structure, technical guidance, and financial support are the need of the hour to boost the morale of farmers and the technological intervention to carry forward in the field.