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

lands. The average holding size is below 2.5 acres in all locations and less than
one hectare in head and tail-end villages.
In the Peechi project. a total sample <strong>of</strong> 115 farmers covering the entire
right bank canal system spread over 17 villages have been surveyed (Table 4.3).
The proportion <strong>of</strong> dry area has been the highest in the head reaches at 69 per cent
against 60 per cent in the middle reaches and 56 per cent the tail end. The
average size <strong>of</strong> the operational holding has also been the highest in the head
reaches (2.06 acres) compared to middle reaches (1.52 acres) and tail reaches
(1.42 acres). The total number <strong>of</strong> farmers selected for the study is II S from the
right bank main canal system. spread over 17 villages.
T able 43 . : n' Istn 'b utlOn 0 f samp I e f arms In t h e P eec h' I cornman d area
Location No. <strong>of</strong> No. <strong>of</strong> ! Wet area Dry area Total Avg. hold.
<strong>of</strong> the vi lIages farmers (Acres)
,
(Acres) area size (acres)
farm
(Acres)
32.24 70.84
Head 8 50
103.08 2.06
(31.34) (68.66)
nso 40.88
~1iddlc S -l5 68.38 1.52
(40.22) (59.78)
12.48 15.83
Tail
4 20
28.31 1.42
( 44.08) (55.92)
72.22 127.55
Total
17 I I 5
199.77 1.74
, (36.15) (69.85)
Note: Figures In parenthesIs are respecllve percentages.
--
The distribution <strong>of</strong> operational holdings in the study districts as per the
1991 Census indicates that ahollt 97 per cent <strong>of</strong> the operational holdings in the
Kollam district (where the Kallada project is located) are below one hectare
occupying 76 per cent <strong>of</strong> the afl:a Cfable 4.4).
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