A study on impact of watershed development project of Antisar watershed in Kheda district of Gujarat

Abstract

The present investigation was undertaken during 2009-10 with a view to evaluate the impact of Watershed Development Project on different parameters viz ., land utilization pattern, irrigation status, cropping pattern, productivity, status of livestock, labour-use, cost of cultivation and income of beneficiaries using the data collected from Antisar watershed located in kheda district of Gujarat. The result of the study revealed that the net cropped area was increased from 71.96 per cent in pre-project position to 88.64 per cent in post-project position and it was also higher in beneficiaries' farms (88.64 %) than that of nonbeneficiaries' farms (79.37 %). The cropping intensity and irrigation intensity were higher in post-project position of beneficiaries. The cropping pattern of beneficiaries was changed and shifted in favour of commercial crops because of watershed development activities. The productivity of major crops grown in watershed project area was increased in post-project position and watershed development has helped in the diversification of crop-livestock mixes too. It was found that though the cost of cultivation of beneficiaries was higher in post-project position as compared to pre-project position, the farm business income, family labour income and net income were increased during post-project position. Finally, it was concluded on the basis of findings that the watershed technology helps in augmenting returns from dry land crop production as well as other subsidiary activities on sustainable basis.