Study on Alternative Crop Model For Degraded Land Land Use Board, State Planning Commission, 2005

    The project aimed to study the existing cropping pattern in degraded lands in selected districts, blocks and villages; existing marketing arrangements and other linkages; suggest suitable alternate crop models for each type of degraded land(s); suggest alternative action plan and extension strategies for implementation by the concerned departments viz. Agriculture, Horticulture and Forest; and suggest appropriate agenda for future research with specific objective of developing alternate remunerative crop model for these lands.

The study involved field surveys and interactions with scientists, officers of State Department and farmers in various agro-ecological zones of the State covering these degraded lands. Based on discussions essential features and edaphic requirement of medicinal and aromatic plants were noted. Alternate crop models including cash crops, grasses, agro-forestry, vegetables and spices were recommended. It was recommended that through capacity building of Farmer Cooperative Societies and Farmer Interest Groups (FIG) direct marketing by the farming community to consumers and private traders should be encouraged. Research issues like tailoring Jatropha cultivar to withstand frost, development of Khesaris (Chatri Matri) varieties, which are low in Biotic Histidine – free Amino Acid (BHAA), study on amalgamation of super sweet principle with sucrose at factory level also were suggested.

» Monitoring, Evaluation and Implementation : Command Area Development

Impact Evaluation Study of Command Area Develoment Project in Tons, Belan and Baghla Canal Command under Ramganga Command Area Development Authority – Bhumi Vikas Evam Jal Sansadhan Vibhag, Government of Uttar Pradesh & Ramganga Command Area Development Authority, Govt. Of UP. – 2005-06

The study aimed to assess the impact of various programmes of soil and water management and various ancillary activities on crop production; and document socio-economic transformation brought about through water user groups, The sample comprised 445 beneficiaries and 89 non-beneficiaries from 89 outlets in 81 villages, if addition to assessing the view of other farmers through snowball sampling. The team also studied 19 outlets (one each from selected sub-irrigation system) to have a peer view of the status of quality of On Farm Development works, status of drainage and functioning of Jal Prabandhan Samiti (JPS).

To assess the quality of the ground water as a sequel to application of irrigation water through these commands, ground water samples collected from dug-wells were subjected to water quality assessment. Further, to ascertain the soil fertility status in these commands, soil samples were also collected and subjected to analysis of macro and micro-nutrients. Expectations regarding quantum and quality of construction of field channel, participatory management, organizational aspects as well as constraints and recommendations were addressed and dealt with in the report. On the basis of the inputs received, improving the working of JPS/Osrabandi system through intensification of Participatory Irrigation Management system (PIM) was suggested. Support for JPS/PIM was suggested at three levels namely, legislative, technical and capacity building. Funding for maintenance of guls, drains, marketing of produce and supply of quality seeds, fertilizers by water user associations would help to improve productivity and utilization of irrigation potential.

» Monitoring, Evaluation and Implementation : Land Management

Monitoring & Evaluation of Sodic Land Reclamation-II Project in Extended Districts – Uttar Pradesh Bhumi Sudhar Nigam, Government of Uttar Pradesh – 2005-07.

AFC conducted the monitoring and evaluation of the project in the districts of Azamgarh, Bulandshahr, Jaunpur, Kanpur Nagar, Kanpur Dehat and Unnao in U.P. The M&E team reviewed Project Implementation Progress by visiting the project villages at different reclamation phases every month. Each of the activities viz. remodelling/cleaning of main drain, OFD works, farm to market road, soil testing, boring, SIC meetings, Water User Groups, Self Help Groups, maintenance of various assets, input distribution etc were monitored for their progress and completion both in quantitative and qualitative terms.

Impact evaluation was done using two approaches viz PRA approach and survey approach which consisted of base line survey and post reclamation survey in 3 subsequent years i.e. 6 crop seasons to analyse agriculture and socio-economic impact with the help of identified parameters like increase in cropping intensity, crop productivity, irrigation, crop diversification, total production, household income, increase in land value, health and hygiene etc. These exercises helped to determine and measure the changes in the socio-economic status of the beneficiaries.

» Watershed Development in Rain fed areas

Evaluation of National Watershed Development Project for Rain-fed Areas (NWDPRA) in Jharkhand – Dept. Of Agriculture, Jharkhand

National Watershed Development Project for Rain fed Areas (NWDPRA) is a programme of Department of Agriculture and Cooperation, Government of India whose objective is to develop the 88.5 million hectares of rain-fed areas in the country through soil and water conservation measures such as construction of check dams, water harvesting structures, de-silting of village ponds, treatment of drainage lines/ gullies, land levelling, farm bunding, treatment of problem soils, agro-forestry, horticulture, silvi-pasture, organic farming, use of bio-fertilizers, value addition and marketing of produce through farmers’ groups, training & capacity building of staff and beneficiaries. AFC undertook the evaluation of 58 NWDPRA units in seven districts of Jharkhand State. The task involved Progress review, Assessment of impact on overall agricultural scenario, analysis of strengths and weaknesses and offering suggestions on improving watershed approach.