Water crisis in Coastal area: Domestic adaptation strategies and impact on agriculture sector
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Date
2019
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Department of Agriculture Economics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara
Abstract
Despite rich endowments of water resources, availability of water in Kerala is dwindling and inadequate for the growing population. Several regions in the state experience seasonal drought like condition, every year. The coastal areas of Kerala become most vulnerable region with respect to water scarcity due to quantitative and qualitative aspects. The study on ‘Water crisis in coastal areas: domestic adaptation strategies and impact on agriculture sector’ was undertaken in this background in coastal areas of Thrissur district in Kerala. The main objectives of the study were to analyse the dimensions of water scarcity and the level of understanding of the same among coastal communities and to identify the strategies to address the issue. Further, economic burden on households were estimated and the impact of scarcity on agriculture sector was also analysed. The study was conducted in Chavakkad, Thalikulam, Mathilakam, and Kodungallur regions of Thrissur district by a two stage random sampling of 120 respondents. The study was based on both primary and secondary data and the data was analysed using statistical tools like descriptive analysis, regression analysis, scaling technique and Shannon-Wiener diversity index. The major water sources in the study area were own sources such as wells, ponds, and public sources like house connections and public taps. Wells are the major source for domestic sector and ponds serve the irrigation purpose. The volume of water in the wells, which was a major water source in the region, declined by an average of 62 per cent by summer season. Thus, the dependence on dug wells for household consumption reduced to 27 per cent, compared to monsoon season (77 per cent). This was also due to the water quality problems, in certain cases. The water quality issues in the area was reflected as colour change, odour, salinity and hardness. Aquatic weeds was reported as a major threat in the coastal belt. Correspondingly, the average household water consumption level also declined. The volume of water in the well and family size influenced the household consumption. Coconut based cropping system was prevalent in the study area with arecanut and banana as major intercrops. Ponds were the major source of irrigation water. Most of the farms were irrigated (40 per cent) at an interval of three days. In regions of severe water scarcity, an irrigation schedule of once in ten days (15 per cent of the farms) was followed. The decision to irrigate the farm was significantly influenced by number of water sources and agricultural income. The irrigation investment amounted to `33,781 per ha per year which constituted 45 per cent of cost of cultivation while accommodating the fixed cost component. Most of the respondents reported a gradual reduction in agricultural yield over the years and 60 per cent respondents attribute it to water scarcity. Digging new ponds, installation of efficient pumpsets, roof water harvesting and filtering of water for domestic purpose were the adaptation strategies opted by the farmers to address the water scarcity. Farming experience was proved to be the most influential factor that determined the adaptation behaviour. The study brings out results that suggest policy interventions for implementing rain water recharge efforts and scientific water quality monitoring system in Kodungallur and Mathilakam regions where water quality problems were more severe. Simultaneously water resource conservation strategies, as well as models developed by KAU for improving crop diversity are to be popularised.
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174807