(Icon-Farm, February 12-16, 2008, p. 129)
The surface of the earth is being eroded due to anthropogenic activity which leads to ecological imbalance on one hand and natural calamities such as flood and fury of rivers on the other hand. The result of these causes degradation of lands and premature siltation of reservoirs. River Valley Project (RVP) Scheme was initiated in order to preserve the wealth of natural resources like soil and water. Karnataka state has been a pioneer in the large-scale implementation of watershed development programmes. This study was undertaken in Nalatwad watershed to assess the economic impact on agriculture productivity and sustenance of watershed technologies/ practices. The Nalathwad micro-watershed (560 ha) located in Muddebihal taluk of Bijapur district, Karnataka has been studied. The data from 135 farmers for the cropping year 2000-01 and other benefits derived from watershed project were collected. The economic viability of investment on soils and conservation programmes was assessed using project evaluation techniques and percentages were used for impact analysis by following before and after project approach. Soil and water-conservation measures were given the greatest importance by watershed authorities. About Rs. 20,49,411.00 (97.4% of the total outlay) was spent on this activity. Majority (76.3%) of the farmers received benefits under soil-conservation measures and 1.48 per cent of watershed farmers received benefits under crop demonstration. Marginal and small farmers received benefits only under soil conservation measures. Large farmers benefited through crop demonstrations.
The impact of watershed-development programme on cropping pattern indicated that the area under sorghum increased by 5.42 ha and sunflower by 3.97 ha. Fallow land declined after project implementation by 9.38 ha (1.68%), consisting of decrease of 1.50 ha (2.76% among small and 6.99 ha (1.42%) among large farmers. Crop reliance on sorghum has slightly been shifted to sunflower and decrease in fallow land are the major changes in the cropping pattern.
Change in agro-biodiversity in Nalatwad watershed was apparent through the increase in number of Acacia trees from 20 to 25 and Banni trees from 128 to 132. This increase took place in the households of marginal and small farmers. There was no change in the large farmer category. Watershed programme significantly improved the average annual household income of the farmers in Nalatwad by Rs 5,422.43. For marginal farmers, the increase in average annual household income was more in crop production followed by small farmers and large farmers. Overall kilocalories intake had increased by 36.89 kcal per day after the watershed programme. The improvement was 27.39 kcal per day for marginal, 34.84 kcal per day for small and 48.43 kcal per day for large farmers. Among marginal farmers, the increase was mainly from vegetables, fruits and vegetable oil. Among small and large farmers the increase was from pulses. vegetables and fruits, and meat and eggs.
