Agricultural Improvement of Marginalized Tribal Farmers Through Watershed Development: A Case Study in Odisha

Abstract

Neoliberal policies have put farmers in a greater situation of vulnerability. Tribal farmers are among the most neglected in policymaking as well as in the larger capitalist framework of development. Watershed development might play a transformative role in reducing the burden of tribal farmers in Odisha. However, it is yet to gain traction in policymaking circles. Increasing the level of production and productivity are two major dimensions of watershed development, along with the conservation of land and water resources. This study is an attempt to examine the impact of watershed development on the shift toward productivity and income-enhancing cropping patterns. We have collected data among 160 farmers from four watershed development areas of Koraput and Mayurbhanj districts of Odisha, where the tribal population is a significant portion of the overall demographic composition, using a multistage sampling technique. Descriptive statistics and paired t-test have been used in the study as statistical tools.