Irrigation and Command area Development Department, Govt, of Andhra Pradesh, A.P.
Influence of watershed technologies as managed by the Research Organization, Government Department and Non-governmental Organization on the outcomes in agriculture and related sectors was assessed through census survey of farmers before and after situations in three watersheds in Kurnool District viz Chinnatekuru watershed developed by Central Soil and Water Conservation Research and Training Institute, a Research Organization, S.Rangapuram watershed developed by Weaker Communities Upliftment Service Society, an NGO and Gundala watershed developed by District Rural Development Agency, a Government Organization. The soils and agro-climatic conditions prevailing in the watersheds are largely similar with hilly terrain, red soils and semi arid conditions. The yields of all major crops viz., groundnut, redgram, setaria, sorghum, vegetables, onion and cut flowers etc., have increased due to implementation of watershed based technologies irrespective of implementing agency, varying from 14% to 90%. However, the yield levels of major crops were similar in Research Organisation and NGO managed watersheds and lower in Government Organisation managed watershed indicating inadequate persuation of the farmers. All categories of farmers harvested higher yields in Research Organisation and Government Organisation managed watersheds whereas large and medium farmers recorded lower yields when compared to other categories in NGO managed watershed. Major changes in cropping pattern for. better incomes were noticed in Government Organisation and Research Organisation managed watersheds when compared to NGO managed watershed due to high technical skills combined with better extension net work. The increased employment opportunities and assured employment days per adult has resulted in the reduction of number of idle days by 55.9%, 12% and 39.5% in Research Organisation, Government Organisation and NGO managed watersheds indicating increased agricultural activities in scientifically managed watersheds. This has resulted in reducing the migration from watershed areas to almost nil in Research Organisation managed watershed whereas it reduced by 17 to 25% in other watersheds. The watersheds when developed on scientific basis lead to resource conservation and their efficient utilization, impacting productivity, employment generation and reduced migration.
