Amarchinta is a village in Atmakur Mandal of Mahaboobnagar district in Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh. Before the project the farmers of Amarchinta village used to raise rainfed crops like jowar, castor, maize and pulses. Good harvest was not certain since the area was drought- prone and rainfall was erratic. The farmers were very poor and were not in a position to invest in borewells independently at their own cost. In severe drought conditions, people migrated to cities in search of employment.
NABARD had sanctioned the Major Irrigation Project viz., Priyadarshini Jurala in Mahaboobnagar district with a loan of Rs. 16.15 crores under RIDF II. The left main canal of this project was passing by the Amarchinta village. This led to a proposal from the farmers and the people's representatives in Andhra Pradesh State Irrigation Development Corporation (APSIDC) to formulate a Lift Irrigation (LI) Project using this left canal. Accordingly, APSIDC formulated the LI project on the left main canal of Priyadarshini Jurala Project in Atmakur mandal of Mahaboobnagar district and submitted the proposal to NABARD.
The project was sanctioned under RIDF III with a project cost of Rs. 490 lakhs and loan assistance of Rs. 441 lakhs. The project which is in Atmakur mandal covering 8 villages has an ayacut of 4800 acres, 90% of which belongs to small and marginal farmers. This LI project was completed in all respects within a record time of 16 months, well ahead of the stipulated date of completion.
Impact of the Project
i. Economic Conditions of Farmers
The financial status of the farmers has improved. The migration of labour to nearby urban areas in the neighbouring state of Maharashtra has reduced to a great extent. There has been favourable shift in the mindset of the people. The farmers have shown interest on modern technologies in farming. Further, with the availability of augmented irrigation facilities the farmers are keen for training and exposure visits to progressive farms/demonstration centres to replicate good farming practices in their areas.
ii. Environmental Impact of the Project
The implementation of LI recharged ground water sources in the project areas. The local tanks in the vicinity received adequate inflow and salinity problem is said to have been arrested. Green fodder is now available in plenty in the area. Subsequently dairy farming has been developed as subsidiary occupation of the local farmers. Greenery plantation has been raised in an around the project area.
iii. People's Participation
A Water Users' Association (WUA) has been formed under the project, to ensure people's participation. The WUA has been playing a proactive role in ensuring the successful implementation of the project in the following manner.
Exercising the 'peer pressure' in recovery of dues in water charges by explaining to the farmers the benefits of the project.
Eliciting the support of people's representatives in the project in solving the problems among ayacutdars.
Carrying out necessary repairs to the machinery and removing of silt in the field channels in time thereby ensuring uninterrupted supply of water.
Disseminating the information to the farmers on the judicious use of water for irrigation with perceptible change in the cropping pattern consisting of water saving crops.
iv. Coverage in the Press
The vernacular language Newspaper 'Andhra Jyothi' stated that the farmers in the project area are highly motivated as they had resolved to involve themselves in successful implementation of Lift Irrigation (LI) project. The press had narrated the impact of the LI on the lives of the farmers in the ayacut area. It was reported that the committee of ayacutdars regularly carried out repairs to the machinery and also removed the silts in the field canals. The ayacutdars planted trees along the farm boundaries and the entire stretch looked greenery attesting the efficient functioning of Water Users/Ayacutdar Committee.
Thus, LI project with assistance under RIDF, has changed the lives of farmers of Amarchinta by providing economic independence to them and has brought a smile on their faces.
|
