Socio economic impacts of Doha Model water harvesting structures in Jalna, Maharashtra

Abstract

Rainwater harvesting has a crucial role in facilitating supplementary irrigation and groundwater recharge. The current research study assesses the socio-economic impacts of small rainwater harvesting structures, Doha Models – percolation tanks dug along the length of lower order seasonal streams, in semi-arid Jalna district of Maharashtra state in India. These structures facilitated recharge of wells in the agricultural fields close to streams. Facilitated by an increased water availability for irrigation, cropping intensity, cropping diversification and crop yields – especially for winter crops requiring assured irrigation – on these agricultural fields grew more than on the agricultural fields away from streams. High risk commercial seed crop cultivation also increased on the agricultural fields close to streams. At two of the four study sites, well recharge led to improvement in drinking water supply and also led to a reduction in physical drudgery associated with fetching water. Ownership and income from livestock also record a growth owing to better water and feed availability for livestock, facilitated by rainwater harvesting. The cost benefit analysis yields an internal rate of return of 16% for Doha Models. However, the study highlights that the benefits from Doha Models are limited to the agricultural fields which are downstream and are close to streams, leaving a large portion of agricultural land. Also, no community institutions are managing these structures. Based on this analysis, the study suggests increasing community participation in the designing and implementation of these structures.