Evaluating Livelihood Security of Farm Household in Treated Watersheds in Semi-arid Region

In India watershed-based development has been the strategy for growth and sustainability of agriculture in semi-arid and dry sub-humid regions. Large public investments have been assigned for this purpose in the last 25 years with little tangible results according to the Planning Commission of India (2005). Approaches to watershed development and management differ notwithstanding guidelines for a common approach, often resulting in lopsided development that renders comparison of progress attained in any two watersheds impractical. In view of the importance of watershed development program for development of rainfed regions in India, a, study was undertaken to evaluate livelihood security of farm household using multi-disciplinary tools and techniques. Sustainability indicators were constructed to evaluate livelihood security at household level in five treated micro-watersheds in five villages located in agro-ecological sub-region 7.2. The methodology developed under this study facilitated a quantitative evaluation of the impact of watershed projects in the study area.