Decomposition analysis of output change under watershed management interventions in semi-arid regions

The study was conducted in semi arid region of southern part of India to examine the changes in productivity and returns due to implementation of watershed management projects. Data collected from 402 sampled beneficiaries and nonbeneficiaries’ (control) revealed significant difference in productivity of crops in watershed and control villages. Decomposition analysis of difference in returns from crop enterprises between watersheds and control villages indicated that the contribution of technological component was positive which signified that with the existing level of input use in the control farms, the returns from crops could have been increased significantly on implementation of watershed development programmes. This calls for a wider coverage of watershed development programmes in order to bring all the areas under land treatment activities for improving the productivity levels.