07.03.2014 Views

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

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

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

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

inadequate attenti<strong>on</strong> given to OFD works in canal comm<strong>and</strong> areas was mainly<br />

resp<strong>on</strong>sible <strong>for</strong> the alleged under-utilisati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> irrigati<strong>on</strong> potential created.<br />

The Central Water Commissi<strong>on</strong> defines On-Farm Development as follows:<br />

"On-Farm Development (OFD) is an integrated process <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />

levelling <strong>and</strong> shaping the l<strong>and</strong> <strong>for</strong> smooth flow <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> water,<br />

c<strong>on</strong>structing field irrigati<strong>on</strong> channels, providing drainage<br />

facilities, <strong>for</strong>ming. the <strong>farm</strong> roads <strong>and</strong> realigning the field<br />

boundaries through appropriate c<strong>on</strong>solidati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> holdings" (001,<br />

1984).<br />

Thus, OFD includes works, such as field channels, l<strong>and</strong> levelling, field<br />

drains <strong>and</strong> c<strong>on</strong>junctive use <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> surface <strong>and</strong> groundwater sources; introducti<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />

rotati<strong>on</strong>al system <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> water distributi<strong>on</strong> (RWS) to ensure equitable <strong>and</strong> timely<br />

supply <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> water to each <strong>and</strong> every <strong>farm</strong> holding; <strong>and</strong> evolving <strong>and</strong> propagating<br />

crop patterns <strong>and</strong> water management practices appropriate to each comm<strong>and</strong><br />

area. Other ancillary activities like c<strong>on</strong>structi<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> link roads, godowns <strong>and</strong><br />

market centres, arrangements <strong>for</strong> supply <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> inputs <strong>and</strong> credits, agricultural<br />

extensi<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>development</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> groundwater <strong>for</strong> c<strong>on</strong>junctive use are also taken up<br />

as part <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> the relevant sectoral programmes in the state plan.<br />

The objectives <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> CADA as menti<strong>on</strong>ed above, are said to be very<br />

comprehensive <strong>and</strong> would help in improving water use efficiency at the field<br />

level, if implemented properly. But in reality, the functi<strong>on</strong>s <strong>and</strong> effectiveness <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />

CADA in improving water use efficiency seem to be far from satisfactory. It is<br />

stated that:<br />

.. Fmlll IiiI' experience gained in implementing the CAD progralllme.<br />

il II/ay he menti<strong>on</strong>ed thaI allhollgh Ih.: CAD programme envisages (//]<br />

inlL'grated programme covering \'(/riolls items, it is felt (hat <strong>for</strong> fhe<br />

presenl, this programme shoilid inclllde primarily <strong>on</strong> On-Farm<br />

DeI'elopment (OFD) work ami Ihat investment <strong>on</strong> items like roads,<br />

markels, etc., should he deferred/or Ihe present" (001, 1984: 29).<br />

18

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!