Exploring agro-ecological bases of contemporary water management innovations (CWMIs) and their outscaling

Abstract

Innovations related to judicious use of scarce water resources evolved by farmers and refined by non-formal researchers termed as Contemporary Water Management Innovations (CWMIs) are now being practiced in drylands by majority of farmers in India for human and crop survival during water crisis. The study was carried out during 2017-18 in purposively selected villages of Ananthapur district of Andhra Pradesh. A sample of 120 (farmers) and 30 (mixed group of scientist's, NGOs activist and other experts) were selected randomly on the basis of the presence of and association with functional water sharing groups (WSGs). For critical analysis, a combination of focused group discussions, case study and Delphi technique accompanied by knowledge index, adoption index, multiple regression, correlation and factor analysis were used. It was found that only 20 users owned bore wells and shared with 100 farmers who did not own any bore wells. CWMI were well accepted and integrated into the culture of the dryland farmers as they comprehensively understood the agro-ecological bases for their survival and sustenance in dry land areas. 14 factors were deduced for agro ecological crises, Majority (63.33%) of farmers possessed high level of knowledge about the agro-ecological reasons behind the CWMIs and 60.83% of farmers had high (70–86%) extent of adoption of all the CWMIs and 65.8% of farmers had adopted 12 out of the 14 different practices. Need for synergy and convergence among researchers, administrations, line departments, NGOs, extension system were felt as the facilitative factors for diffusing CWMIs.

Constraints in the Adoption of Farm Pond in Drought Regions of Maharashtra

“…The rainfall distribution of Deccan plateau region states like Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh during the monsoon period is mostly erratic and uncertain, coupled with the occurrence of frequent droughts for several days to weeks affecting the productivity of rainfed land drastically (Rao et al, 2015). Contemporary water management innovations are well accepted and integrated into the culture of the dryland farmers as they comprehensively understood the agro-ecological bases for their survival and sustenance in dry land areas (Gupta et al, 2021). Among all deccan plateau states, Maharashtra reported the highest farmers suicide cases (i.e.)…”

Knowledge of Farmers About Farm Pond Covered Under Krishi Bhagya Yojane in Karnataka

“…The system of harvesting additional runoff water emerging from the rainwaters in dugout ponds followed by recycling via sprinkler or drip irrigation to yield supplementary irrigation to crops sown in kharif or pre-Rabi seasons has been validated to be most beneficial monsoon mitigation technology (Yadav et al, 2020). The knowledge levels of agro-ecological principles and hydrological cycle among the majority of farmers is very high and on the basis of high consensus with high importance, there is a need for synergy between surface and aquifer storage to attain sustainable water policy and practices in sustainable manner (Gupta et al, 2021). The assignments are about amassing runoff water from the farm field and then store it for irrigation in dry spell (Oraon et al, 2020).…”

Assessment of Water Use Efficiency in Dairy Production Systems

“…Declining water table aggravates overexploitation of groundwater and threatens livelihood security of small and marginal farmers (Mahin & Ashok, 2011). The majority of farmers have high knowledge levels of agroecological principles and hydrological cycle and high consensus with high importance points the need for synergy between surface and aquifer storage to attain sustainable water policy and practices in sustainable manner (Gupta et al, 2021). About 93 per cent of farmers try to ensure the sufficient supply of clean and fresh water to the animal, as water is one of the major critical component of dairy farming.…”