Economic analysis of watershed development programme in Palakkad district
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Date
2000
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Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara
Abstract
The present study on "Economic analysis of watershed development
programme in Palakkad district was undertaken during the year 1999-2000. The
study was focused on the estimation of nature and extent of benefits realised by
farmers after the watershed development programme.
Data for investigation was generated through a sample survey of the
project beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries. Stratified random sampling was
adopted for the selection of sample farmers. Out of the four completed watershed
projects, two watersheds were randomly selected. From each watershed a total of
60 beneficiaries belonging to the different categories were selected. In addition to
this 60 non-beneficiaries were also selected from the non-watershed area as control
group, making a total sample of 180.
The results of the study showed an increase in area under horticultural
crops. An over all higher productivity and income generated through agriculture
was observed in watershed area as compared to the non-watershed area. 1bis
cannot be attributed totally to the watershed project but can also be due to the
better adoption of new technology in the area.
Among the constraints faced by the beneficiaries, three assume great
importance, namely, (a) non-availability of irrigation water (b) lack of technical
guidance and (c) lack of awareness of beneficial programme. The analysis on
strengths/weaknesses of the programme indicated that co-operation of farmers was
the major strength of the programme. The problem in timely distribution of inputs
was found to be an important weakness of the programme.
Thus it is evident that the Watershed Development Programme was able
to bring about improvement in living condition among its beneficiaries and also
among different categories of farmers. Incentives given to beneficiaries have
played prime role in influencing technological changes among beneficiaries,
besides management orientation. There is need to gIve due importance for the
above factors with suitable changes by the watershed staff to promote successful
implementation of watershed development programme.
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PG
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Citation
171759