economics of on-farm development - Institute for Social and ...

strictly adhered to the directions by the CADA.
4) The right bank main canal (RBMC) <strong>of</strong> the Peechi project commands 23
\'illages spread over 23 miles and the left bank main canal (LBMC) covers 9
villages spread over 88 miles.
5) The irrigation scheme is envisaged for irrigating two crops <strong>of</strong> paddy. More
emphasis is given for irrigating Kale lands during summer.
6) Farmers resorted to conjunctive use <strong>of</strong> canal and groundwater on a larger
scale in the command area. Since the canals are unlined, seepage and
percolation <strong>of</strong> water enabled substantial groundwater recharge which is being
exploited by the farmers to grow garden crops.
4.1.1 History and salient features <strong>of</strong> the Peechi Irrigation Project
The Peechi dam is constructed across the Karuvannur river having a total length
<strong>of</strong> 48 kms. The catchment area is 1054 sq km. The Peechi project benefits 32
\illages in the Thrissur district (see, Map 4.3 for Peechi ayacut).
The project investigation took place as early as 1930-35 along with other
projects such as Chalakudy and Cheerakuzhi in Trichur district. The
construction, was. however. not taken up for execution owing to financial
difficulties. It was only after the end <strong>of</strong> Second World War that the then Cochin
government seriously considered taking these projects for execution. By about
1946-47. the increasing food scarcity and the consequent high cost <strong>of</strong> food grains
prompted the government to undertake the construction <strong>of</strong> Peechi reservoir and
the Chalakudy river Diversion schemes. Thus, prior to independence. the district
had no major irrigation system except the salt exclusion work <strong>of</strong> Enamakkal dam
(Kcrala State Gazetteer. 19(2).
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