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Water Policy Research HIGHLIGHT
Reviving Minor Irriga on
9,000 in Telangana Tank irrigated Groundwater irrigated 7,658 Mission Kaka ya is the flagship program of 8,000 7,350 Midterm Assessment of 7,000 government of Telangana, a state whose 6,255 ) Mission Kaka ya es 6,000 5,603 forma on itself was catalysed by perceived (acr First Census Second Census Third Census Fourth Census Fi h Census dy 5,000 regional injus ces in water distribu on for
d Type of Structure a (1987) (1993-94) (2000-01) (2006-07) (2013-14) P r 4,000 irriga on. Launched in 2014, the mission aims to de 3,165 un 3,000 harness benefits of tank irriga on by increasing Dugwells (DWs) 7,320,586 4,466,958 9,617,381 9,200,191 8,784,359 ea r A 2,000 command area, water supply for irriga on and Shallow Tubewells (STWs) 5,940,656 1,300 4,773,071 5,080,725 8,355,693 9,104,665 1,181 Medium Tubewells (MTWs) 3,176,684 1,000 opportuni es for agriculture. Based on mul ple 10 0 field studies, this Highlight presents a midterm Deep Tubewells (DTWs) 103,814 104,309 530,194 1,452,964 2,618,606 Kharif 2014-15 Rabi 2014-15 Kharif 2017-18 Rabi 2016-17 assessment of the project's impact on increasing Total Groundwater Schemes 12,197,471 9,651,992 18,503,268 19,757,820 20,520,305 irrigated area, farmers' incomes, groundwater Surface Flow Schemes (S-Flow) 436,466 418,584 642,013 601,115 592,156 recharge, opportuni es for agriculture and Manisha Shah, associated livelihoods and shares insights on Bhar and Surface Li Schemes (S-Li ) 481,045 352,916 606,918 647,738 600,093 improving implementa on and maximizing net Shilp Verma Total Surface Water Schemes 917,511 771,500 1,248,931 1,248,853 1,192,249 posi ve benefits. ALL MI STRUCTURES (millions) 13.11 10.42 19.75 21.00 21.71
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REVIVING MINOR IRRIGATION IN TELANGANA Midterm Assessment of Mission Kaka ya*†
Research highlight based on Kumar and Kumar (2015); Bhar (2016); and Aryan et al. (2017).
1. TANKS IN PENINSULAR INDIA The state government in (undivided) Andhra Pradesh too Over the last half-century, tank irriga on has taken a back recognized challenges surrounding the lack of access to seat in peninsular India's minor irriga on landscape with irriga on in the Telangana region, but it took a state tubewells revolu onizing the way farmers irrigate their land. reorganisa on to germinate a comprehensive project aimed In spite of being plagued by issues of power policies, at reviving Kaka ya tanks to improve access to irriga on. In frequent well failure and rapid groundwater deple on, pump 2014, India's youngest state Telangana launched 'Mission irriga on has been able to provide 'on-demand' irriga on Kaka ya' to harness the benefits of tank irriga on by access to farmers and helped them grow mul ple irrigated increasing command area, water supply available for crops. Country-wide share of tank irrigated area, which irriga on and opportuni es for agriculture. One of the major accounted for more than 15 per cent in the 1950s slogans of the Telangana movement was “Mana Ooru, Mana (Thenkabail et al. 2009), has shrunk to a mere 3% in 2011-12 Cheruvu” (our village, our tank), which essen ally became the (MoSPI 2015). Flow irriga on from tanks, used for centuries tagline for Mission Kaka ya. The five-year long program to grow rice, has declined because of increased number of intends to uphold the vision of Kaka yas through revival and wells in tank commands. Accoun ng for 65 per cent of the restora on of minor irriga on sources to their original country's territory, Peninsular India sits on hard-rock capacity by effec vely u lizing 265 billion cubic feet (7.5 9,000 forma ons, primarily Deccan trap basalts and grani c BCM) of water allocated for minor irriga on sector under Tank irrigated Groundwater irrigated 7,658 basement complex; yet extensive areas are irrigated with 8,000 7,350 Godavari and Krishna River basins, achieving the basins' groundwater. Tamil Nadu, where tank irriga on dominated in 7,000 irriga on poten al of twenty lakh acres. 6,255 ) the earlier century, saw flow-irrigated area from tanks fall by es 6,000 5,603 a third, from 9,40,000 ha to 6,01,000 ha (Palanisami and 2. STUDY LOCATIONS AND METHODOLOGY (acr First Census Second Census Third Census Fourth Census Fi h Census dy 5,000 Ranganathan 2004), reducing irriga on tanks to percola on d In 2015, not long a er Mission Kaka ya was announced, the Type of Structure a (1987) (1993-94) (2000-01) (2006-07) (2013-14) P
r tanks. Availability of cheap pumping technology and the 4,000 IWMI-Tata Program recruited two students from the de 3,165 provision of highly subsidised or free farm power catalysed a un 3,000 Ins tute of Rural Management, Anand for an exploratory Dugwells (DWs) 7,320,586 4,466,958 9,617,381 9,200,191 8,784,359 ea
r shi in farmers' irriga on preferences towards pumping A 2,000 study of Mission Kaka ya. During their fieldwork, Kumar and Shallow Tubewells (STWs) 5,940,656 1,300 water accumulated in wells recharged from tanks instead of 4,773,071 5,080,725 8,355,693 9,104,665 1,181 Kumar (2015) visited 12 villages in Rangareddy and Warangal Medium Tubewells (MTWs) 3,176,684 1,000 using flow irriga on even in tank commands. 10 districts to understand Phase I implementa on of the Deep Tubewells (DTWs) 103,814 104,309 530,194 1,452,964 2,618,606 0 The Kaka yas were a prominent dynasty in south India that program. Largely based on qualita ve enquiry and open- Kharif 2014-15 Rabi 2014-15 Kharif 2017-18 Rabi 2016-17 th th shaped the history of Telangana between the 12 and 14 ended discussions, Kumar and Kumar (2015) reported on the Total Groundwater Schemes 12,197,471 9,651,992 18,503,268 19,757,820 20,520,305 century from their capital in present day Warangal. The several technical and ins tu onal challenges the program Kaka ya rulers built thousands of small reservoirs or tanks was facing on the ground, including variability in community Surface Flow Schemes (S-Flow) 436,466 418,584 642,013 601,115 592,156 across Telangana to store rain water and make it available to enthusiasm and par cipa on across villages and legal Surface Li Schemes (S-Li ) 481,045 352,916 606,918 647,738 600,093 people and their farms in the dry season (Kothavade 2017). disputes around encroachment of tank beds. O en built in a cascade, these tanks were managed and Total Surface Water Schemes 917,511 771,500 1,248,931 1,248,853 1,192,249 maintained by the communi es through a system of The following year, Bhar (2016) conducted another study ALL MI STRUCTURES (millions) 13.11 10.42 19.75 21.00 21.71 decentralized governance. The tradi on was to de-silt the for ITP in Warangal and Karimnagar which included detailed water bodies in summer and apply the silt on farm lands to household interviews with 90 respondents in 5 villages and maintain and improve land produc vity. Over the years, land village-level focus group discussions (FGDs) in the command use changes in the catchment, encroachment of tank beds, areas of 25 tanks in Warangal and Karimnagar districts and reduc on in their rela ve importance for irriga on during Phase II of the program. Bhar (2016) also conducted eroded the decentralized governance ins tu ons and led to fieldwork in tanks where Bala Vikasa had worked with village their neglect. The fi h Minor Irriga on Census (GoI 2017; communi es to implement tank desil ng. Besides looking at reference year: 2013-14) reports 46,531 such decentralized the impact of tank desilta on, Bhar (2016) made an storages or tanks in Telangana. interes ng comparison between the implementa on
* This Highlight is based on research carried out under the IWMI-Tata Program (ITP) with addi onal support from the CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE). It is not externally peer-reviewed and the views expressed are of the author/s alone and not of ITP or its funding partners. † Corresponding author: Manisha Shah [[email protected]]
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protocols of Bala Vikasa and that under Mission Kaka ya. In June 2017, ITP again recruited three IRMA students to assess the progress of Mission Kaka ya and its impact on the agrarian economy and on tank dependent livelihoods. Thirty seven villages in old Adilabad (Nirmal district) and old Warangal district were selected using purposive sampling to study examples of best implementa on on the ground (see Figure 1). The selec on of these two districts was done in order to focus on most successful tank de-silta on under the program in the last two phases. Officer on Special Duty, Irriga on and Superintendent Engineer (Godavari Basin), and officials from Irriga on Department were consulted for study area selec on. Given that both districts have good rainfall and good project comple on rates, the precondi ons for Figure 1: Study loca ons for Aryan et al. (2017) best performance are met. For village selec on within those districts, district level officers like Execu ve Engineers and 3. IMPLEMENTATION PROTOCOL Assistant Execu ve Engineers were consulted. From each NGOs like Bala Vikasa, Lodi Mul purpose Social Service mandal (block), 3-4 villages were selected. Tank repairs in 59 Society (LMSSS) and Modern Architects of Rural India (MARI) per cent of beneficiary villages covered were completed in have also been implemen ng tank-desil ng programs in phase I and remaining in phase II of the mission. A final round Telangana; albeit on a much smaller scale. One es mate puts of fieldwork was undertaken in December 2017 where 11 of the total number of tanks desilted under NGO programs over these tanks were revisited and 4 other tanks in Karimnagar the past decade at around 1,000 (Bhar 2016). The approach and Nalgonda districts were studied. Data for Kharif and Rabi followed by these NGOs, especially Bala Vikasa, is quite 9,000 seasons of 2014-15 was taken as the base year (before) and different from the implementa on protocol adopted in Tank irrigated Groundwater irrigated 7,658 compared with the two previous seasons from the me of Mission Kaka ya. Bhar (2016) compared the two 8,000 7,350 survey – Rabi 2016-17 and Kharif 2017-18 (a er). approaches on different aspects, as shown in Table 1. 7,000 6,255 ) es 6,000 5,603 Table 1: Implementa on protocols of Mission Kaka ya and NGO Tank de-sil ng programs (acr First Census Second Census Third Census Fourth Census Fi h Census dy 5,000 Mission Kaka ya Protocol followed by Bala Vikasa d Process Type of Structure a (1987) (1993-94) (2000-01) (2006-07) (2013-14) P Implementa on Protocol and other NGOs r 4,000 de 3,165 un 3,000 Ins tu onal I&CAD is the implemen ng agency; it works in A 5-7 member commi ee is formed for approvals, Dugwells (DWs) 7,320,586 4,466,958 9,617,381 9,200,191 8,784,359 ea r
A Arrangement coordina on with other line departments nego ating rates, scheduling silt li ing and supervision 2,000 Shallow Tubewells (STWs) 5,940,656 1,300 4,773,071 5,080,725 8,355,693 9,104,665 1,181 Medium Tubewells (MTWs) 3,176,684 1,000 Iden fica on of AE and DE (I&CAD) take lead; Gram Sabha passes Villagers iden fy tank and approach NGO 10 Tanks resolu on 0 Deep Tubewells (DTWs) 103,814 104,309 530,194 1,452,964 2,618,606 Kharif 2014-15 Rabi 2014-15 Kharif 2017-18 Rabi 2016-17 AE and DE (I&CAD) select according to “guidelines for Villagers select; NGO provides technical support and Selec on of Tanks priori za on of tanks”; consult local poli cal representa ves guidance, feasibility study Total Groundwater Schemes 12,197,471 9,651,992 18,503,268 19,757,820 20,520,305 Mandal Agriculture Officer and District Soil Tes ng Lab Community uses tradi onal knowledge and wisdom and Surface Flow Schemes (S-Flow) 436,466 418,584 642,013 601,115 592,156 Silt Tes ng involved; report sent to I&CAD selects area to be desilted Surface Li Schemes (S-Li ) 481,045 352,916 606,918 647,738 600,093 DPR Prepara on AE and DE (I&CAD) prepare DPR NGO prepares DPR Tendering and Online tendering by I&CAD; selec on based on least cost NGO invites quota ons and nego ates rates with Total Surface Water Schemes 917,511 771,500 1,248,931 1,248,853 1,192,249 Contrac ng [₹ 120-150 per load] contractors [₹ 40-50 per load] ALL MI STRUCTURES (millions) 13.11 10.42 19.75 21.00 21.71 Contractors responsible; work under I&CAD supervision Contractors responsible; accountable to “Supervision Desil ng [Average desilted depth: 3 feet] Commi ee” [Average desilted depth: 5-6 feet] Contractor responsible for organizing 12 tractors; Commi ee includes tractor owners, ensures availability Silt Li ing therea er farmers' responsibility for silt transporta on Awareness about NGOs undertake awareness crea on through wall Contractors are responsible for awareness crea on silt applica on pain ngs and posters Community Farmers contribute tractor cost only; rest funded through 70% of the cost is borne by community; 30% by NGO / contribu on Mission Kaka ya grant
No 'maintenance fund' created for future desil ng or Farmers who take silt contribute ₹10 / load towards a Maintenance Fund repairs 'maintenance fund' used for planta on and repair works
Source: Adapted from Bhar (2016)
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4. IMPACT OF MISSION KAKATIYA irrigate an addi onal gross area of less than 21,000 ha. However, the assurance of water availability owing to be er 4.1 Impact on Irrigated Area monsoon increased the area cul vated in Kharif season by The main objec ve of Mission Kaka ya is to revive and boost 300,000 ha (Chandrashekhar 2017). Thus, it is safe to minor irriga on in the region by increasing water storage conclude that much of the addi onal area lay outside tank capacity of tanks through de-silta on and repair of sluices, commands and was not a ributable directly to addi onal weirs, and irriga on canals. The project also has an impact on water storage in tanks. groundwater irriga on through increased groundwater 4.2 Impact on Farm Economics recharge. Besides increasing cul vated and irrigated area, Mission Field data shows a posi ve change in tank irrigated area for Kaka ya has also significantly changed the farm economics all tank sizes. Aryan et al. (2016) surveyed 37 “best by reducing cost of cul va on and increasing produc vity. implemented” Mission Kaka ya tanks and found that, on The silt removed from tank beds was li ed by farmers, average, cul vated area increased by 196 and 159 per cent transported and applied to their fields. Several studies (see, in Kharif and Rabi seasons respec vely. However, a closer for instance, Mohammed et al. 2009; DHAN-CPP nd.) have noted, applica on of silt on farmlands adds valuable look at the data suggests that such an increase cannot solely nutrients and improves the soil's moisture reten on capacity. be explained by increased tank storage capacity. Aryan et al. This helps farmers a ain higher crop produc vity while es mated that less than 10 per cent of the increase in Kharif reducing their expenditure on fer lizers. area and less than 50 per cent of the increase in Rabi area can be explained by addi onal tank storage; to explain the Our field studies report that the quan ty of silt removed addi onal area, they offer three explana ons: [a] deficit from a tank was a func on of the farmers' demand for silt rather than the size of the tank. Farmers could avail the silt rainfall in base year, 2014-15; [b] increase in area not only removed from the tanks free of cost but had to bear the due to increased storage but also due to repair of tank transporta on cost. Transpor ng a tractor-load of silt cost sluices, bunds and weirs preven ng any leakage to render between ₹100-500, depending on the distance of the field floodplains around tanks cul vable; and [c] these numbers do 9,000 from the tank, accessibility of the tank and tractor Tank irrigated Groundwater irrigated not represent the “average” scenario as their sample was availability. Bhar (2016) reported 30-40 per cent increase in 8,000 7,658 7,350 purposively biased. Aryan et al. (2016) also found that much crop produc vity and roughly ₹5,000 saving in fer lizer and 7,000 6,255 of the increase in cul vated area was owing to expansion of
) pes cide cost per acre of co on. Aryan et al. (2017) too es 6,000 5,603 paddy cul va on – both within and outside the tank reported improved produc vity in paddy (15.5%), turmeric (acr command (Figure 2). First Census Second Census Third Census Fourth Census Fi h Census dy 5,000 (22.2%), maize (26.9%), mirchi (28.5%) and co on (41.8%)
d Type of Structure a (1987) (1993-94) (2000-01) (2006-07) (2013-14) P (Figure 3). The reduc on in fer lizer and pes cide cost also r 4,000 A local newspaper (Namasthe Telangana 2017) reported that de 3,165 varied with crop – ₹1,915 per acre (46.4%) for paddy and un out of 20,814 tanks across 17 districts, around 10 per cent Dugwells (DWs) 7,320,586 4,466,958 9,617,381 9,200,191 8,784,359 3,000 ea ₹3,490 per acre (45.8%) for co on. r were overflowing a er monsoon 2017 and more than 40 per A 2,000 Shallow Tubewells (STWs) 5,940,656 1,300 4,773,071 5,080,725 8,355,693 9,104,665 1,181 cent were more than half full, predic ng a water sufficiency Aryan et al. (2017) calculated that the overall impact on Medium Tubewells (MTWs) 3,176,684 1,000 scenario for 3-5 addi onal months and a ributed it to tank profitability per acre a er accoun ng for reduced cost of 10 0 de-silta on. In the two phases of the mission, 130 million cul va on, improved yield and transporta on costs. They Deep Tubewells (DTWs) 103,814 104,309 530,194 1,452,964 2,618,606 Kharif 2014-15 Rabi 2014-15 Kharif 2017-18 Rabi 2016-17 cubic metres of silt was removed from tank beds ll February es mated that profit per acre increased by 14.3 per cent for Total Groundwater Schemes 12,197,471 9,651,992 18,503,268 19,757,820 20,520,305 2017 (Chintala 2017), crea ng an equivalent addi onal water paddy and 47.8 per cent for co on. Bhar (2016) also 3 storage capacity. At 2,500 m per acre per season, this would es mated the Benefit-Cost ra o of silt applica on for Surface Flow Schemes (S-Flow) 436,466 418,584 642,013 601,115 592,156 Surface Li Schemes (S-Li ) 481,045 352,916 606,918 647,738 600,093 Figure 2: Paddy area irrigated by groundwater and tank in base and Figure 3: Produc vity change of major crops in the second year a er study years silt applica on Total Surface Water Schemes 917,511 771,500 1,248,931 1,248,853 1,192,249 Before A er 35 ALL MI STRUCTURES (millions) 13.11 10.42 19.75 21.00 21.71 9,000 32.0 Tank irrigated Groundwater irrigated
8,000 ) 7,658 e 30 28.8 7,350 r
c 27.5 7,000 A 25.3 s/ 24.9
) 6,255 25 tal 22.5 22.7 es 6,000 5,603 21.9 acr Quin ( (
20 5,000 dy d ield a Y
P
4,000
r 15
op 12.9 3,165 de 3,000 Cr un 10 9.1 ea r 2,000 A 1,181 1,300 5 1,000 10 0 0 Kharif 2014-15 Rabi 2014-15 Kharif 2017-18 Rabi 2016-17 Paddy (N=32) Co on (N=36) Turmeric (N=20) Maize (N=12) Mirchi (N=07)
Source: Aryan et al. (2017) Source: Aryan et al. (2017) 3
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different crops and found that the ra o was highest for level decline. The number of tanks completed and Mirchi (ranging from 6.2 to 13.7) and lowest for paddy (0.8 to expenditure for districts with highest water level rise (Medak, 2.2). These results perhaps explain the farmers' preference Nizamabad, Karimnagar, Warangal (U), Nalgonda) and highest for silt applica on in high-value cash crops, rather than in water level decline (Jogulamba Gadwal, Vikarabad, Adilabad, paddy. Nirmal, Mancherial, Jag al, Kumarambheem Asifabad) are The silt removed from the tank beds is supposed to be lab shown in Figure 4. The districts with water level rise (the tested by the Agriculture department. However, our field increase in levels ranging between 3 m in Warangal (U) to studies found no evidence of lab tes ng in 7 of the 15 tanks 11.46 m in Medak) mostly have a high number of tanks visited in December 2017; the villagers relied on visual repaired and de-silted compared to the districts repor ng inspec on and local knowledge to assess silt quality. Some decline in water level; the range of both rise and fall of levels, farmers also faced shortage of tractors, found it difficult to however, is wide. This is perhaps due to rainfall devia ons, pay transporta on cost (as it o en requires upfront cash soil and aquifer condi ons, proximity to water bodies; which payment) and even scarcity of silt to carry. Those who could vary across districts. apply silt, however, reported posi ve results. Kumar and 4.4 Impact on Related Livelihoods Kumar (2015) also reported variable farmer interest for li ing Though agriculture has a major share of benefits derived silt and posi ve impact of silt applica on on farm economics. from tanks, other livelihoods like fishing, toddy tapping, and 4.3 Impact on Groundwater ca le herding are also benefi ed by it. Telangana Bhar (2016) noted that as a result of tank desil ng, water government's programs such as Haritha Haram (tree levels in nearby open wells and borewells improved by 10-15 planta on drive) to plant Toddy and Etha trees around the feet. Farmers from 14 blocks also reported addi onal 3-5 tank bunds, distribu on of fingerlings and goats at subsidised prices have ensured the ownership of the tank not only from months of water availability in their wells, which has helped the ayacutdar but also from the other stakeholders like ca le them irrigate crops in Rabi. Without accoun ng for rainfall herders, toddy tappers and fishermen communi es. varia on across years, secondary data sources show a pre- Moreover, all informal ca le herders' socie es and fishermen monsoon water level decline of 4.5 m and post monsoon 9,000 socie es in every village are being formalised. Fish farming in Tank irrigated Groundwater irrigated water level improvement of 2.7 m between 2014 and 2016 7,658 the study area has emerged as a profitable venture where 8,000 7,350 (Table 2). 7,000 even non-fishermen community is willing to invest and 6,255 ) A survey by the Telangana Groundwater Department harness the benefits from the tank in the village. An impact es 6,000 5,603 comparing water table in May 2016 and 2017 reported an
(acr assessment study shows 62 per cent increase in fish First Census Second Census Third Census Fourth Census Fi h Census dy 5,000 average year-on-year increase in ground water level by 3.45 d produc on in the tanks across the state (NABCONS 2017). Type of Structure a (1987) (1993-94) (2000-01) (2006-07) (2013-14) P r 4,000 m (The Hindu 2017). There was a rise in water levels in 22 This addi onal source of income has helped them diversify de 3,165
un out of 31 districts while remaining 9 districts reported water 3,000 their livelihood. Dugwells (DWs) 7,320,586 4,466,958 9,617,381 9,200,191 8,784,359 ea r A 2,000 Table 2: Groundwater levels recorded in different mandals Shallow Tubewells (STWs) 5,940,656 1,300 4,773,071 5,080,725 8,355,693 9,104,665 1,181 Medium Tubewells (MTWs) 3,176,684 1,000 Pre-monsoon water level Post-monsoon water level 10 (m bgl) (m bgl) 0 Mandal Name Change (m) Change (m) Deep Tubewells (DTWs) 103,814 104,309 530,194 1,452,964 2,618,606 Kharif 2014-15 Rabi 2014-15 Kharif 2017-18 Rabi 2016-17 2014 2016 2014 2016 Total Groundwater Schemes 12,197,471 9,651,992 18,503,268 19,757,820 20,520,305 Sarangpur 13.55 18.76 -5.21 13.68 8.80 4.88 Surface Flow Schemes (S-Flow) 436,466 418,584 642,013 601,115 592,156 Laxmanchanda 1.65 11.68 -10.03 2.53 1.25 1.28 Nirmal 3.31 4.02 -0.71 7.80 1.95 5.85 Surface Li Schemes (S-Li ) 481,045 352,916 606,918 647,738 600,093 Khanapur 7.50 10.38 -2.88 6.86 5.27 1.59 Total Surface Water Schemes 917,511 771,500 1,248,931 1,248,853 1,192,249 Dilwarpur 9.40 18.42 -9.02 8.30 6.00 2.30 ALL MI STRUCTURES (millions) 13.11 10.42 19.75 21.00 21.71 Pembi 4.25 7.48 -3.23 4.54 2.68 1.86 Mamda 3.07 5.23 -2.16 4.60 1.60 3.00 Kaddam 4.22 8.22 -4.00 3.83 1.45 2.38 Nallapalli 7.36 9.36 -2.00 7.88 4.20 3.68 Narsampet 6.28 12.72 -6.44 4.97 2.78 2.19 Wardanapet 7.93 11.41 -3.48 7.67 5.69 1.98 Wardanapet/ Ayanaval 7.93 11.41 -3.48 7.67 5.69 1.98 Elkathurthi 11.42 12.96 -1.54 10.00 11.11 -1.11 Thorrur / Pedha Vangara 8.02 16.62 -8.60 9.13 3.24 5.89 Average Values 6.85 11.33 -4.50 7.10 4.40 2.70 Source: Groundwater Department, Telangana
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Figure 4: Tanks completed and expenditure incurred in districts with high water level rise and decline
500 450 Tanks Completed Total Expenditure (₹ '00 Lakhs) 400 350 300 250 200 150 100 50 0 l l ) r k d d a ial a ad a a r g wa (U ma b b b l a g al e d a ed a ir onda a a n J g N lg M dilabad n ama a nch im ikar Asif A a a a Ga iz N ar V ar M N K W lamb ogu
High water level rise J Water level decline
5. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION means that the interests of the community are not always aligned – e.g. fishermen prefer that the tanks remain full Mission Kaka ya, undoubtedly, has set the ground for for as long as possible while command area farmers want technical innova ons, tender reforms, online procurement, the water to be released for irriga on. Op mizing tank 9,000 billing and payment, and created a noteworthy example for Tank irrigated Groundwater irrigated opera ons to maximize net posi ve impacts needs the 7,658 other state interven ons. Our field studies strongly indicate 8,000 7,350 different stakeholders to work together – something that 7,000 that when implemented well, it has the poten al to bring 6,255 Mission Kaka ya has not put emphasis on. ) significant posi ve benefits to the village agrarian economy – es 5,603 6,000 in terms of expansion of irrigated area; enhanced [d] Supply-driven Implementa on: Contras ng with the work (acr First Census Second Census Third Census Fourth Census Fi h Census dy 5,000 done by Bala Vikasa, Bhar (2016) described Mission d groundwater recharge; reduc on in cost of cul va on; Type of Structure a (1987) (1993-94) (2000-01) (2006-07) (2013-14) P r 4,000 improved crop produc vity; and posi ve spill over impacts Kaka ya as a supply-driven, rather than demand-driven, de 3,165 program. As discussed in Table 1, in the case of Bala un 3,000 on fisheries, toddy tapping and ca le herding. However, the Dugwells (DWs) 7,320,586 4,466,958 9,617,381 9,200,191 8,784,359 ea r quality of implementa on and responsiveness of the village Vikasa, the community iden fies and ini ates the tank A 2,000 Shallow Tubewells (STWs) 5,940,656 1,300 1,181 community has not been uniform across the districts. desil ng process. This not only ensures their 4,773,071 5,080,725 8,355,693 9,104,665 Medium Tubewells (MTWs) 3,176,684 1,000 contribu on, but also their commitment to the work. This 10 Our field studies threw up some insights on how Mission is not the case in Mission Kaka ya where nearly all tanks Deep Tubewells (DTWs) 103,814 104,309 530,194 1,452,964 2,618,606 0 Kaka ya implementa on can be improved: Kharif 2014-15 Rabi 2014-15 Kharif 2017-18 Rabi 2016-17 in the state were taken up for desil ng. [a] Work Planning: Bhar (2016) and Aryan et al. (2017) note Total Groundwater Schemes 12,197,471 9,651,992 18,503,268 19,757,820 20,520,305 [e] Sustaining Benefits: By the me desil ng work in the last that the work planning process was unduly focussed on tank under Mission Kaka ya is over, or soon a er, tanks Surface Flow Schemes (S-Flow) 436,466 418,584 642,013 601,115 592,156 civil works such as bund and sluice gate construc on desilted in Phase I would be ready for another round of rather than on desil ng for field applica on and Surface Li Schemes (S-Li ) 481,045 352,916 606,918 647,738 600,093 desil ng. Tradi onally, the opera on and maintenance of groundwater recharge. The planning also seemed to give tanks was managed by the community through the Total Surface Water Schemes 917,511 771,500 1,248,931 1,248,853 1,192,249 lesser priority to repair of feeder channels, distribu on ins tu on of Neerudu / Neerka . Mission Kaka ya seems network, waste weir and removal of encroachments from ALL MI STRUCTURES (millions) 13.11 10.42 19.75 21.00 21.71 to have missed out on an opportunity to revive this tank beds and feeder channels. important ins tu on to ensure that the gains achieved [b] Planning for Silt Uptake: Bhar (2016) noted poor or during implementa on are sustained a er the 5-year complete lack of coordina on between I&CAD and program. Agriculture departments; this o en meant that the This last insight is crucial unless the Government of results of the silt tests were available only a er the Telangana sees Mission Kaka ya as an on-going program detailed work planning had been done. Bhar (2016) also which will require significant public resources perpetually. In reported that due to poor planning, tank desil ng works a scathing cri que of Mission Kaka ya, Kumar et al. (2016) were some mes interrupted by rains. argued for the need for a scien fic assessment of the [c] Conflic ng Interests: The tank user community is a diverse hydrology of catchments in Telangana to be er understand set and comprises of command area farmers, non- which tanks will benefit from desil ng, and which might not. command farmers, tank-bed cul vators, fishermen, One way to address this cri que, and also ensure local washerwomen and toddy-tappers among others. This ownership of tank management is to turn the program into a
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2 Water Policy Research Highlight-08
truly demand-driven project. It is safe to assume that village ensure that where village communi es see value in tank communi es will not be very enthusias c about maintaining desil ng, the government can extend a hand of support. The tanks that have li le or no chance of filling up due to land idea of having a maintenance fund through small use or other changes in their catchment. On the other hand, contribu ons from farmers can also be effec ve in covering tanks which do offer direct and indirect economic benefits part of the desil ng costs and/or clearing feeder and through command area irriga on, enhanced groundwater distribu on channels. To encourage this and incen vize recharge and posi ve impact on fisheries and other farmer contribu ons, the government can offer to top up the livelihoods should be rou nely desilted, ideally by the local Tank Maintenance Fund through a matching contribu on. communi es with support from the state. Finally, the government must also ensure that its policies do Desil ng of tanks needs to be done in a small me window not result in conflic ng outcomes. Through Mission Kaka ya, before the monsoons each year. During this me, if the the government is inves ng heavily in improving Government of Telangana can make JCBs available for groundwater availability and at the same me, the villagers who want to desilt their tanks, a self-targe ng government announced 24*7 free power to farmers mechanism can take shape. Just as Bala Vikasa enters a (Balakrishna 2017) – which will undoubtedly lead to village only a er a village community comes together and groundwater over-exploita on. Such steps are likely to shows willingness to contribute, such a mechanism can negate any long-term posi ve impacts of Mission Kaka ya.
References Aryan, S.P., Singh, R. and Varthini, P. (2017): “Assessment of Mission Kaka ya in Telangana”. Unpublished internship report. Anand: IWMI-Tata Water Policy Program. Balakrishna, V.V. (2017): 24x7 power to farmers in Telangana will cost the exchequer Rs 7000 crore. The New Indian Express, 6 June. Available online: h p://www.newindianexpress.com/states/telangana/2017/jun/06/24x7-power-to-farmers-in- telangana-will-cost-the-exchequer-rs-7000-crore-sources-1613406.html Bhar (2016): “Mission Kaka ya study”. Unpublished report. Anand: IWMI-Tata Water Policy Program. Chandrashekhar, B. (2017): No rain gains for minor irriga on tanks in State. The Hindu, 29 August. Available online: 9,000 h p://www.thehindu.com/news/ci es/Hyderabad/no-rain-gains-for-minor-irriga on-tanks-in-state/ar cle19583002.ece Tank irrigated Groundwater irrigated 7,658 8,000 7,350 Chintala, P. (2017): Mission Kaka ya gets global a en on. The Hindu, 19 February 2017. Available online: 7,000 h p://www.thehindu.com/news/ci es/Hyderabad/Mission-Kaka ya-gets-global-a en on/ar cle17327210.ece 6,255 ) DHAN-CPP. (nd.): Tank Silt Applica on for Agricultural Produc on Enhancement - Scope, Issues and Challenges. Policy Brief #12, es 6,000 5,603
(acr Water Series. Chennai: Centre for Policy and Planning, Dhan Founda on (DHAN-CPP). Available online: First Census Second Census Third Census Fourth Census Fi h Census dy 5,000 d h p://dhan.org/cpp/pdf/policybrief12.pdf Type of Structure a (1987) (1993-94) (2000-01) (2006-07) (2013-14) P th r 4,000 GoI (2017): Report of 5 census of minor irriga on schemes. November, New Delhi: Ministry of Water Resources, River de 3,165 un 3,000 Development and Ganga Rejuvena on, Minor Irriga on (Sta s cs) Wing, Government of India. Available online: Dugwells (DWs) 7,320,586 4,466,958 9,617,381 9,200,191 8,784,359 ea r h p://mowr.gov.in/report-5th-minor-irriga on-census-has-been-released A 2,000 Shallow Tubewells (STWs) 5,940,656 1,300 4,773,071 5,080,725 8,355,693 9,104,665 1,181 Kothavade, M.R. (2017): The Kaka ya legacy of pro-poor governance and water management and its revival through Mission Medium Tubewells (MTWs) 3,176,684 1,000 Kaka ya. Journal of US-China Public Administra on, 14(4):198-209. 10 0 Kumar, M.D., Bassi, N., Kishan, K.S., Cha opadhyay, S. and Ganguly, A. (2016): Rejuvena ng Tanks in Telangana. Economic and Deep Tubewells (DTWs) 103,814 104,309 530,194 1,452,964 2,618,606 Kharif 2014-15 Rabi 2014-15 Kharif 2017-18 Rabi 2016-17 Poli cal Weekly, 51(34): 30-34. Total Groundwater Schemes 12,197,471 9,651,992 18,503,268 19,757,820 20,520,305 Kumar, S.C. and Kumar, S.D.V. (2015): “Mission Kaka ya: Telangana's a empt to replace Saurashtra's success". Unpublished report. IWMI-Tata Water Policy Program. Surface Flow Schemes (S-Flow) 436,466 418,584 642,013 601,115 592,156 Mohammed, O., Wani, S.P., Vineela, C. and Murali, R. (2009): Quan fica on of Nutrients Recycled by Tank Silt and its Impact on Soil Surface Li Schemes (S-Li ) 481,045 352,916 606,918 647,738 600,093 and Crop - A Pilot Study in Warangal District of Andhra Pradesh. Monograph. Interna onal Crops Research Ins tute for the Semi- Arid Tropics. Total Surface Water Schemes 917,511 771,500 1,248,931 1,248,853 1,192,249 MoSPI (2015): Irriga on - Sta s cal Year Book India 2015. Ministry of Sta s cs and Program Implementa on (MoSPI), Government of India. ALL MI STRUCTURES (millions) 13.11 10.42 19.75 21.00 21.71 NABCONS (2017): Mission Kaka ya Phase 1 Impact Evalua on Study Findings. NABARD Consultancy Services (NABCONS). Namasthe Telangana. (2017): Status of ponds in various districts. 29 August 2017. Palanisami, K. and Ranganathan, C.R. (2004): “Value of groundwater in tank (surface) irriga on systems. Coimbatore, India”. Water Technology Centre. 31p. The Hindu (2017): “Rise in groundwater level in Telangana”. The Hindu, 9 June 2017. Available online: h p://www.thehindu.com/news/ci es/Hyderabad/rise-in-groundwater-level-in-telangana/ar cle18951871.ece Thenkabail, P.S., Dheeravath, V., Biradar, C.M., Gangalakunta, O.R.P., Noojipady, P., Gurappa, C., Velpuri, M., Gumma, M. and Li, Y. (2009): Irrigated Area Maps and Sta s cs of India Using Remote Sensing and Na onal Sta s cs. Remote Sensing, 1(2): 50-67.
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2 About the IWMI-Tata Program and Water Policy Highlights
The IWMI-Tata Water Policy Program (ITP) was launched in 2000 as a co-equal partnership between the Interna onal Water Management Ins tute (IWMI), Colombo and Sir Ratan Tata Trust (SRTT), Mumbai. The program presents new perspec ves and prac cal solu ons derived from the wealth of research done in India on water resource management. Its objec ve is to help policy makers at the central, state and local levels address their water challenges – in areas such as sustainable groundwater management, water scarcity, and rural poverty – by transla ng research findings into prac cal policy recommenda ons. Through this program, IWMI collaborates with a range of partners across India to iden fy, analyze and document relevant water management approaches and current prac ces. These prac ces are assessed and synthesized for maximum policy impact in the series on Water Policy Highlights and IWMI-Tata Comments. Water Policy Highlights are pre-publica on discussion papers developed primarily as the basis for discussion during ITP's 9,000 Annual Partners' Meet. The research underlying these Tank irrigated Groundwater irrigated 7,658 8,000 7,350 Highlights was funded with support from Interna onal Water 7,000 Management Ins tute (IWMI), Tata Trusts, CGIAR Research 6,255 ) es 6,000 5,603 Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE) and CGIAR (acr Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food First Census Second Census Third Census Fourth Census Fi h Census dy 5,000
d Type of Structure a (1987) (1993-94) (2000-01) (2006-07) (2013-14) P Security (CCAFS). However, the Highlights are not externally r 4,000 de 3,165 peer-reviewed and the views expressed are of the author/s un 3,000 Dugwells (DWs) 7,320,586 4,466,958 9,617,381 9,200,191 8,784,359 ea r alone and not of ITP or any of its funding partners. A 2,000 Shallow Tubewells (STWs) 5,940,656 1,300 4,773,071 5,080,725 8,355,693 9,104,665 1,181 Medium Tubewells (MTWs) 3,176,684 1,000 10 0 Deep Tubewells (DTWs) 103,814 104,309 530,194 1,452,964 2,618,606 Kharif 2014-15 Rabi 2014-15 Kharif 2017-18 Rabi 2016-17 Total Groundwater Schemes 12,197,471 9,651,992 18,503,268 19,757,820 20,520,305
Surface Flow Schemes (S-Flow) 436,466 418,584 642,013 601,115 592,156
Surface Li Schemes (S-Li ) 481,045 352,916 606,918 647,738 600,093 IWMI Headquarters IWMI-Tata Water Policy Program 127 Sunil Mawatha “Jal Tarang” Total Surface Water Schemes 917,511 771,500 1,248,931 1,248,853 1,192,249 Pelawa e, Ba aramulla Near Smru Apartments, Behind IRMA Gate ALL MI STRUCTURES (millions) 13.11 10.42 19.75 21.00 21.71 Mailing Address Mangalpura, Anand 388001, Gujarat, India P. O. Box 2075, Colombo, Sri Lanka Tel: +91 2692 263816, 263817 Tel: +94 11 2880000, 2784080 Fax: +94 11 2786854 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Website: www.iwmi.org
IWMI is a RESE ARCH CGIAR PROGRA ON Research Water, Land and Center Ecos stems and leads the:
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