Post on 26-Mar-2018
Nitya Pasala
Technical Expert, DWDU, Bharuch
GUJARAT STATE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT AGENCY (GSWMA)
SUCCESS STORY OF DPAP BATCH‐6
District: Vadodara
Taluka: Savli
Project Name : Vasiya
Introduction and Background: The Ministry of Rural Development Department, Government of India, initiated Drought Prone Area Programme (DPAP) across Gujarat in 1996 to mitigate the long term effects of famines through well planned watershed interventions to enable systematic agricultural progress of villagers within the state. This particular success story of Savli taluka of Vadodara district is a landmark example of watershed approach pooled with flourishing livelihood intervention strategies.
About the Success Story:
Under this project, a cluster of three villages, Mokampura, Vasiya and Kaslapura of Savli taluka have achieved success in augmentation of agricultural and livelihood practices. The total geographical locale of this cluster is 688 hectares, out of which 500 hectares is taken for treatment under the programme and till date 400 hectares has been treated already. Soil of this terrain is blackish brown in colour and partially porous in nature which naturally is unable to sustain water for longer durations. The population of these villages during the pre‐project times was 585 persons approximately, which has now turned to 1500 people approximately. The people whose primary occupation is agriculture, previously indulged in labour work in farms and allied activities like animal husbandry in surrounding villages during lean seasons.
The Need to Execute Watershed Activities in the Villages:
The primary reason to promote watershed activities was to improve the agriculture and related activities with the help of conserved water. As most of the people in the area depend on agriculture as livelihood both for consumption and production purposes, unless the watershed activities are under taken the scope for agricultural development seemed meagre. Although dairying is one of the important occupations of the area, the primary source of income is agriculture hence, unless agriculture is developed, per capita income, nutritional status, quality of produce; productivity, economic growth itself is not possible. Cropping pattern also had to be changed to take advantage of both the seasons. Agriculture being the central and connecting link, this project will bring equal opportunities for the poor and marginalized population which is not privileged enough to have enough basic amenities. Also, due to depletion of fertility of soil, water drain and its frequent exposure to drought makes it an area of concern.
It was needed to ensure that poor household has a sustainable livelihood that will increase the economic status of the people and over a period of time increase the asset ownership, self esteem and social participation of down trodden people. The reason for the promotion of watershed was to bring economic growth in the area, where the bottom of the pyramid comprises of BPL households.
Interventions carried out:
Watershed related works:
Interventions Project name
Village names
No.of Structures
Name of structures
Structure cost in lacs
Watershed Works Vasiaya
Vasiaya 1 Check dam 3.55 1 Check Wall 0.9
Kaslapura 1 Check dam 2.5 1 Check dam 1.58
Mokampura 1 Check dam 2
Check Dam at Kasalapura in Month of December 2009
Tobacco crop beside the check dam in December 2009.
Agriculture and Pasture Development:
Vennaben and Ambajiben in their crop demonstration plot of Bajra just beside the check dam of vasiya project
Crop demonstration was conducted for bajra and maize and other improved varieties to promote agriculture development. Approximately, 5000 Horticulture plants were distributed to beneficiaries to promote the horti‐agriculture.
Livelihood aspects through SHG groups:
15 Self Help Group was formed and 7 are still active till date. 7 of them are graded and obtained a loan from Bank of Baroda for purchasing of improved dairy breeds.
Impacts of the Interventions:
In order to understand the impacts of watershed activities a focussed group discussion was done with the villagers and beneficiaries and following outcomes were recorded.
Status of water table:
During pre‐project times the depth of water table was 60‐65 ft and the same further deteriorated. Most of the wells had dried up and the water would be available till the end of rainy season till mid winter. However, with the help of check dams and water harvesting structures the water level gradually raised up to 50‐55 ft and water is available in both the seasons (Kharif and Rabi). The wells have recharged and become active due to horizontal seepage of water from the check dam.
Quality and quantity of drinking water: Although, the quality of drinking water is good the water availability was seasonal and would get scarce by summer season as water table goes down up to a depth of 65‐70 ft which makes its suction difficult through hand pumps. An initiative was taken to solve this problem by siphoning the water from nearby canal into a dead stream with the help of suction pipe taking advantage of gravitational force. Hence forth, water runs 24 hrs keeping the stream alive 365 days a year and the drinking water availability is continuous and uninterrupted even in summer seasons. Increase in irrigation potential: Area under irrigation was only 25‐30 hectares previously, now, almost all people take the advantage of irrigation and area up to 200 ‐250 hectares is irrigated during off‐season. Irrigation potential has increased with the availability of water in water harvesting structures.
Land use pattern / Change in cropping:
Previously only tobacco and Bajra were grown in this area only under rained condition. After the construction of check dam, walls and recharging structures, land which was barren was brought under agriculture and area of around 200‐250 combining take the benefit of conserved water for agriculture in the lean season. Farmers use diesel engines to pump water into their field during important critical stages of crop growth.
Farmers use diesel engine to pump water from the check dams to their fields
Area under agricultural crop (single/double/multiple):
Table No 1
Name of crop
Before const/Ha After const/ha Yield in
quintel per hac.
Rate/Quintal Amount In Rs.
Yield in quintel per hac.
Rate/Quintal Amount in Rs.
Tobacco 7.5 700 5250 12.5 1700 21250 Bajra 10 1200 12000 15 1800 27000 Maize 18.8 900 16920 Redgram 2.6 5000 13000
Total 17250 78170
Net increase in crop production: Agriculture was not improving rather it was more like into stagnate phase during pre‐project lack of awareness, local varieties, indigenous farming methods, lack of fertilizer were also few reasons apart from water shortage. The water harvesting structure were constructed there brought a immediate change in the agriculture and cropping pattern, productivity, choice of drops is also changed in the vicinity of the check dam constructed. This can be seen from Table No. 1 and Annexure 1 in the end of the document gives the details of beneficiaries of all the structures created in this project. Fodder availability and Milk production: Green grass was not available after rainy and mid winter in this particular villages of vasiya project. However availability of water in the check dam in the off‐season gives a chance for fodder production which is good enough to meet the demand of feed for animals. This also provides scope for harvesting and storing the grass for summer seasons in the form of dry fodder. Two milk collection center were formed and running successfully. Quality and quantity of milk is also improved in terms of fat content, SNF due to green fodder availability and milk production is around 9 liter per buffalo/day which was 4.5/day liter prior to the project and a total of 150 to 200 liters of milk is being collected everyday from these villages.
Socioeconomic Impact: Income Level:
The economic status of the villagers has improved with increased agricultural produce and other allied activities especially, animal husbandry. Earlier, before the DPAP programme was implemented the produce of bajra was 10 quintals which has now soared to 15 quintals approximately with the increase in the productivity of the land. At the same time the price at which it is sold today is around 1800 Rs/quintal which was earlier sold for Rs 1200 Rs/quintal. Similarly, the production of tobacco and milk has increased significantly. As mentioned in the above paragraph milk production has increased due to availability of fodder in lean season which directly affects the per
capita income of each household. This signifies that the income level of the villagers has increased substantially with has further boosted their living standards. Employment Opportunities Watershed interventions have strengthened livelihood opportunities for people which earlier remained unexplored as agriculture was rain fed. People earlier involved themselves in agriculture during the rainy season and worked as farm labourers in nearby villages in lean season. Irrigation facilities now have helped farmers to adopt various cropping patterns round the year. Also, animal husbandry has flourished due to availability of fodder in lean season. Two milk collection centres have been established post interventions and women folk also
Purchase power/Per capita Income:
For money required during the time of distress like illness and social rites of death, marriage and birth were largely taken from the local money lenders of the area at higher interest rate annually with pawning of the assets or the land during preproject times. Relatives also were an important source of credit. Insurance and bank accounts were with almost negligible number of people. However now due to increased income frequency of loans in reduced and household assets are increased and main impact is every farmer send their children to schools rather than making to work with them in farm.
Farmers Quotes:
“I can take two crops and i dont buy fodder anymore, more check dams should be constructed to improve our farming” ..........Mahendra Navsingh Gohil(Farmer)Village Kaslapura
Our risk in reduced as we have water to irrigate our crops in most critical period of crop growth with the help of diesel engines.......................... Bhikhabahi P Rathod(Farmers) Mokampura
Now my well is active again, water is available till end of February and i can grow vegetable for my household in summer. We could have never know the benefit of check dams more than now......................Kirvasingh Adeshi Rathod(Farmer)Vasiya
Self Help Group (Women)
Now can also earn now with as dairying is possible better than before and don’t work other field ..............Kesarben Vajesing Rathod (Mokampura)
We grow fodder for our cattle in lean season and green fodder is available throught the year ................Ambaben Arjunsing(Kaslapura Photograph attached)
Annexure 1
Vansiya Beneficiaries of check dam With their survey numbers Rathod Jamsingh Mokamsingh 21 Rathod Balabhai 60 Rathod Parvatbhai Naranjbhai 22/2 Rathod Ganapatbhai 25 Rathod Indubhai Samatbhai 25 Rathod Chandubhai 25 Rathod kalyansingh Jaisanghbhai 24 Parmar Ahajibhai Ramanbhai 93 Rathod Fanabhai Goyabhai 23/4 Rathod Kanjibhai Deyabhai 22 Rathod Somabhai Koyabhai 23 Rathod Somabhai Ushabhai 10 Vankar Ganeshbhai Somabhai 11,17,18 Vankar Bhikhabhai Somabhai 14/2 Vankar Ramabhai 13 Rathod Prathoji 12 Kasalapura Beneficiaries of check dam With their survey numbers Parmar Ganpatji 76 Gohil Murth Arjunsinh 6/2,6/3 Rathod Gulabsingh Bhimsingh 103 Gohil Ratansingh Raisingh 65 Rathod Prabhatbhai Pratapbhai 63/1 Rathod Barbarbhai 84/2 Rathod Rupsingh Narsingh 70/2 Rathod Vaderji Raisingh 86 Rathod Gulmoti 84/3 Gohil Ambaben Arjunsingh 169 Gohil Nakearsingh Mangalsingh 73/1 Gohil Darsarathsingh Mangalsingh 62 Gohil Takathsingh Pratapsingh 63/1 Vankar Muljibhai Kanajibhai 7/2 Rathod Vinarbhai Jinabhai 75 Rathod Nansingh Motisingh 84/2 Rathod Budhabhai Sardarbhai 55/1,3 Vankar Mukundbhai Maganbhai 74 Rathod Rukmaniben Natwarbhai 56 Rathod Chabrsingh Bhujsingh 80/1 Rathod Kabhaisingh Motisingh 84/1 Rathod Ratansingh Mangalsingh 25/4
Mokampura Beneficiaries of check dam With their survey numbers Rathod Rupa Koyabhai 151 Rathod Sotabhai Mangalbhai 144,146 Rathod Mangalbhai Jihanabhai 144,152 Himatsingh Samath signbhai 157 Koyamsti 156,159 Maganbhai Chagunbhai 155 Fatabhai Mangabhai 154 Narvathbhai Mohanbhai 136/1 Ratanber Palvantbhai 137 Narvatbhai Misharibhai 138 Kavabhai Bhagabhai 153 Narsingh Prabathsingh 139 Mohansingh Bhaigi 158 Himath Sankarbhai 143,145