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

incremental yield (due to adoption <strong>of</strong> OFD) and financial position. The study
argues that"the choice <strong>of</strong> crop pattern with weightage for less water intensive and
low value crops (as per the CADA directives) with a more or less determined
seasonal fixation makes heavy investment on land development uneconomic. The
total expenditure incurred for land levelling per acre in the study villages was Rs.
451 for one per cent slope, Rs. 409 for two per cent slope and Rs. 645 for three
per cent slope.
Singh et al (1978) in their study, "An economic appraisal <strong>of</strong> OFD
programme- a hard core <strong>of</strong> Ramganga command area development project" in
Uttar Pradesh find the immediate effect <strong>of</strong> OFD works in terms <strong>of</strong> extension <strong>of</strong>
irrigation, avoidance <strong>of</strong> seepage losses and enhanced cropping intensity.
However, the returns on investment in OFD works are poor mainly due to the
short-time lag between programme planning and achievement <strong>of</strong> results
(production) and lack <strong>of</strong> funds and inadequate staffing pattern.
Sisodia (1978) in his . economic analysis <strong>of</strong> OFD programme 10 the
Chambal command area in Madhya Pradesh', examines whether an investment
on the project is viable in terms <strong>of</strong> change in cropping pattern, cropping intensity
and yield levels in relation to the pre-OFD situation. The study concludes that
while it is pr<strong>of</strong>itable to undertake OFD, its adoption is justified by the net income
earned by farmers through increase in production, input use efficiency and
managerial ability for realising the full potential <strong>of</strong> the land and water resources.
Wade (1976) in his study on Command Area Development Programme
observes that the emphasis on mechanized land shaping and furrowing in the
59