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

However, the case <strong>of</strong> Kallada is more relevant to study as the problems and
constraints in realising as a scheme, which has not yielded the expected results
even after four decades <strong>of</strong> its inception. Accordingly, more than explaining the
<strong>economics</strong> <strong>of</strong> the project in terms <strong>of</strong> cost and benefits, it is the dynamics
involved in the process <strong>of</strong> implementation <strong>of</strong> the project that would be very
relevant to throw more light on policy perspectives.
With this backdrop, an attempt has been made in this section, to examine
the impact <strong>of</strong> the Kallada scheme on the area expansion and irrigated crop
production in the command area. As already pointed out, the water distribution
system in the project is unique in terms <strong>of</strong> its design suitable for cultivation <strong>of</strong>
tree crops grown in the homesteads. Though the project is designed for paddy
cultivation. almost 60 per cent <strong>of</strong> the command area is under dry crops, which
require irrigation during summer. Since the topography <strong>of</strong> the project area is
undulating. the conventional open canal system was not suitable to bring the
entire ayacut under irrigation. Hence, the underground pipe line system, called
the Minor Con\'eyance System (MCS) was proposed for the Kallada project. The
MCS is laid out through the farmers plots and the cost <strong>of</strong> installation <strong>of</strong> the
system was proposed to be partially recovered from the beneficiary farmers
based on certain rates. Accordingly, (i) farmers holding in excess <strong>of</strong> 4 ha. are
expected to bear 50 per cent <strong>of</strong> the cost; (ii) farmers holding area between 2 to 4
ha. are to gi\c .to per cent <strong>of</strong> the cost <strong>of</strong> installation; (iii) those having land
257