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

cent in 1993 and to about 46 per cent in 1996, though it declined to 43 per cent in
1997 (GOK, 1998).
Development <strong>of</strong> irrigation systems was given immediate priority to ensure
self-sufficiency in the production <strong>of</strong> paddy, which is the staple food crop <strong>of</strong>
Kerala. Paddy, which is grown throughout the year l9 , requires ponded water for
better crop growth and yield. The monsoon rainfall caters only to the needs <strong>of</strong> the
first crop and the second crop limited manner. The third crop <strong>of</strong>ten fails due to
the non-availability <strong>of</strong> water. In the remaining period, no water was available to
grow crops. Because <strong>of</strong> limited land was available for cultivation, no extensive
farming was possible. The only option, therefore, was intensive cultivation <strong>of</strong>
food crops, which was not possible without irrigation. This being so, it is
expected that with assured irrigation facilities, yield levels <strong>of</strong> the second and
third crops could be substantially improved and stabilised. Also, as almost 90 per
cent <strong>of</strong> the cultivable area has been brought under the plough, the scope for
extensive method <strong>of</strong> cultivation is very limited and the only option worth
exploring is intensification through irrigation and use <strong>of</strong> other yield augmenting
supplementary inputs.
There were earnest efforts to build up a strong infrastructure base with
respect to irrigation systems in the state under the state initiatives. As a result, at
present, the irrigation sector in the state comprises 29 major/ medium irrigation
1'1 Paddy is grown three times a year and the three crops are known as Virippll.
Mlil/Jukul/ al/d /'/II/chu respectively. These three crops are otherwise known as autumn
crop (May to August), winter crop (September- December) and summer crop (January -
April).
29