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RAINFED
FARMING SYSTEM Foodgrain production in the country accrues from 142
million hectares of cultivated land. Of this, 40 percent is irrigated
and accounts for 55 percent of production. The remainder, 85 million
hectares, i.e. 60 percent are rainfed and contribute 45 percent to total
output. Rainfed agriculture is complex, diverse and risk-prone and is
characterized by low levels of productivity and low input usage.
Vagaries of the monsoon result in wide variation and instability in
yields. If the target of doubling food production in the next decade is
to be achieved, rainfed areas will need to contribute substantially to
incremental output by producing marketable surpluses more reliably. Government
of India has accorded
highest priority to the holistic and sustainable development of rainfed
areas through integrated watershed development approach. The key
attributes of the watershed approach are conservation of rainwater and
optimization of soil and water resources in a sustainable and cost
effective mode. Improved moisture management increases the productivity
of improved seeds and fertilizer, so conservation and productivity
enhancing measures becomes complementary. NWDPRA was launched in 1990-91 during
Eighth Five year Plan in 25 States and 2 Union Territories.
The project was continued during
Ninth Five Year Plan in 28 States( including 3 newly formed
States of Uttaranchal, Jharkhand & Chattisgarh) and 2 Uts with the
purpose of increasing agricultural productivity and production in
rainfed areas through sustainable use of natural resources. The broad objectives of the NWDPRA are as follows: ·
Conservation,
development and sustainable management of natural resources including
their use. ·
Enhancement
of agricultural productivity and production in a sustainable manner. ·
Restoration
of ecological balance in the degraded and fragile rainfed eco-system by
greening these areas through appropriate mix of trees, shrubs and
grasses. ·
Reduction
in regional disparity between irrigated and rainfed areas. ·
Creation
of sustained employment opportunities for the rural community including
the landless. During
Eighth Five Year Plan, against a target of 28.00 lakh ha., an
area of 43 lakh ha. was
developed through implementation of the project spread over in 2554
watershed with an expenditure of Rs.971,52,00 thousand. During Ninth Five Year Plan, NWDPRA has been
considerably restructured with greater decentralisation and community
participation, higher degree of flexibility in choice of technology and
suitable institutional arrangements for ensuring long-term
sustainability. During
Ninth Five Year Plan, it was targeted to treat 22.5 lakh ha. of
rainfed areas at a cost of Rs.1020,00,00 thousand. An area of 27.66 lakh
ha. has been treated against
a target of 22.5 lakh ha. with an expenditure of Rs.9108063 thousnd
during IXth Five Year Plan period.
The scheme of NWDPRA has been subsumed with Scheme for
Macro-management of Agriculture- Supplementation/ Complementation of the
States efforts through work plans from 2000-01.
Restructuring of NWDPRA The NWDPRA has been throughly restructured by
retaining the technical strength of the older programme and
incorporating the lessons learnt from successful projects, especially on
community participation. The watershed development programme is now
planned, implemented, monitored and maintained by the watershed
communities. To bring about
uniformity in programmes being implemented by various agencies, the
WARASA-Jan Sahbhagita guidelines have been brought out in conformity
with the “Common Approach/Principles for Watershed Development”
agreed upon by the Ministries of Agriculture and Rural Development. The
salient features of the restructured project are as
follows: ·
Revision
of cost norms from Rs.3500 to Rs.4500/ha (<8% slope ) and from
Rs.5000 to6,000/ha (>8% slope) ·
Introduction
of flexibility and revision of component –wise allocation of resources ·
Development
of Sustainable Watershed with
different Project Implementating Agencies (PIAs) ·
Broadbasing
of Watershed Development Team (WDT) for better
community mobilisation ·
Innovative
mechanisms for utilisation of research funds earmarked for watershed
technology ·
Thrust
on transfer of Technology. ·
Provision
of Farm pond Technology ·
Cluster
Plantation under Horticulture/Agro-forestry. ·
Review
of Livestock Components. ·
Change
in Mode of appointment of Apprentice. ·
Enlarging
role of NGOs and Panchayats. ·
Management
of Common Property Resources. ·
Project
benefit and cost sharing. ·
Improvement
in Monitoring and
Evaluation (M&E) through concurrent evaluation. ·
Impact
assessment through development of realistic quantifiable indicators. ·
Capacity
building through training
and orientation. Watershed Development Fund (WDF)
As a follow up action to the Union Finance Minister’s Budget
(1999-2000) Speech, a Watershed Development Fund (WDF) has since been established at NABARD
with the objective of integrated watershed development in 100
priority districts in
14 States through participatory approach.
The total corpus of the WDF is
Rs.200,00,00 thousand which includes Rs.100,00,00 thousand by
NABARD and a matching contribution of Rs.100,00,00 thousand by
Department of Agriculture & Cooperation, Government of India.
The fund will be utilised to create the necessary framework
conditions to replicate and consolidate the isolated successful
initiatives under different programmes in the government,
semi-government and NGO sectors. The
WDF is being
operationalised in close coordination with the Central and State
Ministries and Departments as a continuum of their efforts but with a
distinct identity, and contribution by NABARD and the Government of
India financially and managerially. Ministry of Agriculture is nodal
Ministry for this purpose. The activities under the WDF are being taken up under
the guidance of a High
Powered Steering Committee constituted with representatives
from the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Rural Development,
Ministry of Finance (Banking Division), representatives of State
Governments , NABARD and selected NGOs from different States.
The secretarial support is provided
by NABARD Utilising WDF mode of assistance by NABARD, it is
contemplated to have a spread of the programme in 14 States, namely,
Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Maharashtra, Andhra
Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal,
Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir. In
the first Phase the WDF is accessible to 6
States, namely, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya
Pradaesh, Orissa and Uttar Pradesh. In all, about 100 districts are to
be covered with WDF mode of assistance. So far Memorandum of Understanding has been signed by
9 States. They include Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra,
Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Jharkhand. State
Steering Committees have been constituted in all the 8 States except
Jharkhand. Now the progress indicates that 300 watersheds have
been identified in 8 States for WDF facility out of which 183 watersheds
have been sanctioned and
preliminary work relating to social mobilisation, exposure and
orientation of the community and preparation of Capacity Building Phase
proposals are under progress in the remaining watersheds.
The total grant involved in the 183 projects so far is of the
order of Rs.8,41,00 thousand . This comprises 35 grant based and 148
loan based projects. Loan based projects involve a commitment of
Rs.84,60,00 thousand. EXTERNALLY AIDED PROJECTS
A number of externally aided projects on the theme of Integrated
Watershed Development are also being implemented during the Tenth Five
Year Plan. Ministry of
Agriculture is involved in the supervision, coordination and monitoring
of these Projects. The funding for these Proejcts is directly given to
the State Governments and is not routed through the Ministry. Integrated Watershed Development Project (IWDP-Hills-Phase-II)
On the completion of the IWDP-Hills Phase-I on 31.3.99 utilising
IDA Credit of US $ 67.55 million accomplishing
treatment of an area of 1.96 lakh ha, the IWDP-Hills-Phase-II has been
launched during 1999 at an estimated cost of US $ 193.00 million
equivalent to Rs.954,60,00 thousand(The IDA Credit/Loan will be US $
135.00 million comprising IDA Credit of US $50 million and a loan of US
$ 85 million) with the objective to restore the productive potential of
the Shivalik Hills in the States of Haryana, H.P., J & K, Punjab and
Uttaranchal using cost
effective watershed treatment technologies and community participation
approach. The project
approach and design of the IWDP (Hills-II) Project differs from the
approach of previous
project in placing greater emphasis on: ·
Participatory
process following `bottom up’ approach ensuring greater participation
by stakeholders and effective project implementation and sustainability,
promotion of effective community involvement in selecting treatments,
participating in the sustainable application of such treatments and
long-term management of assets created through the project. ·
Emphasis
on social mobilization to ensure that benefits reach more marginalised
and vulnerable elements of the rural population. ·
Developing
rural infrastructure including roads and market facilities etc. The overall programme is to treat an area of
2.82 lakh ha. with an expenditure of Rs.9,54,60,00 thousand. So
far, till the end of October, 2002, an area of 133944 ha. has been
treated incurring an expenditure of Rs.385,82,00 thousand. An
amount of SDR 36.900 m.(constituting 100% of total IDA credit of SDR
36.900 m) and US$ 2.358 m(constituting around 2.77% of the IBRD loan of
US$85,00 m) has been reimbursed till September, 2002. The programme for
2002-03 is to incur Rs. 180,61,00 thousands to treat 47084 ha. Karnataka Watershed Development Project
The
Karnataka Watershed Development Project(KWDP) (credit No.3528-N) in
Karnataka State has been designed to treat an area of 4,26,969 ha.
spread over in 1270 villages(38 talukas) of five districts of Karnataka
State ( Chitradurga, Dharwad, Haveri, Kolar & Tumkur) in a period of
5 years at a total cost of Rs.690, 27,00 thousands ( US $127.58 m.) of
which the World Bank's assistance (IDA credit) would be US$ 100.4 m.(SDR
79.0m.). The World Bank's contribution amounting to US $ 100.4 m. would
be 79% of the total project cost whereas the remaining amount (21%)
would be contributed by State government(US $ 14.3 m. constituting 11%
of total cost) and the project beneficiaries (US $ 12.8 m. constituting
around 10% of the project cost). The development objective of the project is
sustainable alleviation of poverty in predominantly rainfed areas of
Karnataka by improving production potential of selected watersheds and
their associated natural resource base and strengthening institutional
arrangement for natural resource management. An associated objective is
to strengthen the capacity of communities in the project districts for
participatory involvement in planning, implementation and maintenance of
assets emanating from local level development programmmes. An amount of
Rs.1,64,00 thousands has been spent under the project till October,
2002. Assam Rural Infrastructure and Agriculture Support Project (ARIASP)
This project is being implemented since 1995 at a total project
cost of Rs.5,67,65,00 thousand (US $ 146.60 million) for a period of 8
years ending on 31.12.2003. The
World Bank Loan/credit amount is Us $ 126 million (Rs.487.84 crores).
The main objective of the project is to improve equity, alleviate
poverty and accelerate
agriculture growth through
improved use of resources. So
far, an amount of Rs.369,35,00 thousands
has been spent up to August 31, 2002.
The reimbursement under the project till September 2002 (SDR
58.396 m) constitutes 58.09 % of the total IDA credit(SDR 81.000
million). Diversified Agriculture Support
Project (DASP)
Uttar Pradesh
This project has been launched in 1998 with an estimated cost of
Rs.6,99,00,00 thousand (US
$ 160.50 million) for a period
of 7 years. The objectives
of the project is to increase agricultural
productivity through support of
diversified production systems, promote private sector
development and improve infrastructure. So far, till September, 2002, an
expenditure of Rs.334,71,00 thousand has been made. The outlay for
2002-2003 is Rs.250,23,00 thousands. An amount of Rs.219,95,00 thousand
has been reimbursed under the project till September, 2002. Uttranchal
This project has been launched in 1998 (effective from April,
2002) with an estimated cost of Rs.75,00,00 thousand (US$15.00 m) and is
ending on 31.3.2004. The project is spread over in 5 districts of
Uttranchal State with the principle objective of increasing agricultural
productivity through support for Diversified Agricultural Production
systems, promote private sector development and improve rural
infrastructure. So far, an amount of Rs.22,37,00 thousands has been
spent in this project (till September, 2002). The programme for 2002-03
is to incur Rs.40,23,00 thousands. An amount of Rs.6,87,00 thousand has
been reimbursed till September,2002. GERMAN (Kreditanstant For
Widderaufbau) ASSISTED PROJECT
KFW assisted Watershed Development in Maharashtra is being
implemented through NABARD since December,1991.
The total cost of
the project is Rs.108,40,00 thousand .
The project is being implemented with active participation of
NGOs with an objective to develop micro-watersheds in a comprehensive
manner so as to create adequate and sustainable livelihood opportunities
for the inhabitants of that area. The Phase I of the Project has been
completed and has been merged with phase –II which will continue up to
December, 2005. The total
expenditure incurred is Rs.68,75,00 thousand as on July, 2002. DANIDA AIDED PROJECTS
Comprehensive Watershed Development Project – Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu
This project was launched in 1990-91 with
assistance from DANIDA. The objectives of the project are to
arrest further erosion of badly degraded lands and to develop
sustainable and cost effective utilisation of several types of land to
create long term employment opportunities for farmers not able to
cultivate their own land as well as additional employment opportunities
for marginal farmers and landless agricultural labourers.
The main components of the
project are survey, extension and training, planting of shelter belts,
establishment of demonstration plots, study
tours etc. Keeping
in view the successful implementation of Phase-I of the project,
Phase-II of the project has been launched since 1994 for a period of 7
years (up to 2001) at a total cost of Rs.41,72,40 thousand. The project
period has been extended upto March 31, 2003.
The cumulative expenditure upto December, 2002 under the project
is Rs.35,65,65 thousand. Comprehensive Watershed Development project,
Karnataka
This project was launched in 1990-91 with assistance from DANIDA involving a total cost of Rs.13,35,00 thousand. The main objectives of the project are to develop an appropriate land use system through soil and moisture conservation activities and tree plantation in order to increase the overall production in the area and to improve the living conditions of landless, small holders and especially rural women, by increasing production of fodder, wood and minor forest products on waste lands. This project is being implemented
in the districts of Belgaum and Dharwad in Karnataka.
The major components are soil and water conservation,
afforestation, training, survey, studies and research.
Keeping in view the successful implementation, DANIDA has agreed
for a second phase of this project which started from 1.6.1997 at a cost
of Rs.22,33,50 thousand of which Rs.21,00,00 thousand is DANIDA
assistance to run up to 31.5.2004. An amount of Rs.13,31,00 thousand has
been spent upto October, 2002 . Comprehensive Watershed Development Project –
Koraput, Orissa
This project was launched in 1993-94.
The objectives of the
Project are to establish sustainable and locally acceptable land use
system which are sustainable and ecologically sound.
The land use system would enable the poorer rural communities to
improve their living conditions and their supply of food, fuel and other
essentials without over exploiting the natural resource.
The main components of the project are soil and water
conservation measures, mix tree plantations like horticulture, cashew
plantation, sisal cultivation, training and demonstrations, etc.
The total cost of the project was Rs.13,25,00 thousands.
Expenditure so far incurred is Rs.10,99,00 thousands upto March,
2002 The project
period has been extended up to March,
2005. Comprehensive Watershed Development Project –
Madhya Pradesh
The DANIDA Board approved the Project on 11 September.,1996. It is being implemented from March, 1997 for a period of five years at a total cost of Rs.13,15,30 thousand. The project covers about 34,000 ha. area in Jhabua, Dhar, Ratlam Districts of Western Madhya Pradesh. DANIDA assistance is Rs.13,15,30 thousand. The project covers about 34,000 ha. area in Jhabua, Dhar and Ratlam districts of Western Madhya Pradesh. An expenditure of Rs.11,73,86 thousand has been incurred upto November, 2002. The project period of phase-I of the project has been extended upto 30.11.2002 and phase-II of the project (to continue till March, 2007) is under consideration. The Karnataka Watershed Development Development Project (KAWAD) is being implemented in 3 districts of Karnataka namely Bellary , Bijapur and Chitradurga, supported by Department For International Development (DFID). The goal of KAWAD is to meet poor people’s needs in treated watersheds more fully and at a lower cost. Its purpose is to develop a replicable approach and tested models for development which empower men and women (including marginalised groups) to demand better services and to gain access to expanded and diversified livelihood, and enable secondary stakeholders to respond to their needs. The project started functioning from April 1, 1998 and would be in operation for 5 1/2 years. The Karnataka Watershed Development Society , a registered society based in Bangalore is the implementing agency . The total project cost is Rs. 83,40,00 thousand of which Rs. 11,71,60 thousand have been utilized till November, 2002. The extension of the project period is under consideration.
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