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

achievement being 55 per cent and 78 per cent respectively (ewe, 1999). The
cost <strong>of</strong> development <strong>of</strong> irrigation potential at current prices has increased from
Rs. 1200 per ha. during the First Plan to Rs. 66570 during 1990-92. showing a
55-fold increase over time. and at constant prices, it has increased from Rs. 8620
to Rs. 29587 during the above period (GO!, 2000). It is reported that the cost
over runs were due to a change in the scope <strong>of</strong> the project (leading to 35-43 %
increase in the cost in some projects), followed by one-time provisions for
rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R) activities and others (40-47 %), increase
due to price rise/ inflation (ranging from 8 % to 63 %) (GO!, 2000: 2.30 I).
The discussion, so far, gives a fairly good idea <strong>of</strong> the status <strong>of</strong> irrigation
development in India, its problems, prospects and institutional support needed to
improve the operational efficiency <strong>of</strong> irrigation projects. A brief review <strong>of</strong> the
development <strong>of</strong> irrigation systems in Kerala State, from where the irrigation
projects for this study have been selected, is presented in the following section.
1.4 Irrigation Development in Kerala:
A brief account <strong>of</strong> the history <strong>of</strong> irrigation development in Kerala is necessary to
understand the problems <strong>of</strong> irrigation development in the proper perspective. It
may also be necessary to examine the divergences, if any, in the pattern <strong>of</strong>
irrigation development experienced by the state compared with the irrigation
development scenario at the national level.
Kerala is known for its abundant natural resources, especially water. The
state has 44 rivers, 27 backwaters (mostly in the form <strong>of</strong> lakes and ocean inlets),
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