Agro-economic impact of Uttar Pradesh sodic lands reclamation project: A micro-level study

This study was conducted to assess the impact of Uttar Pradesh Sodic Lands Reclamation Project on key agricultural and economic indicators at farm and household level. It is found that increased cropping intensity along with remunerative yield in treated sodic lands led to considerable increase in farm income. As a result, total income of beneficiary-families has risen substantially culminating into poverty reduction. Though large landholders were the biggest beneficiaries in absolute terms because of larger sodic area under the programme, marginal and small farmers have experienced larger percentage change in income due to lower base income. Consequently, cross-sectional income inequality has declined. The project intervention has, therefore, not only improved absolute economic position of beneficiaries but also narrowed down the gap between rich and poor. Since reclamation programme has made sodic land cultivation profitable, farmers are expected to undertake continuous cropping in such lands which is essential for sustainability of project initiatives.