INTRODUCTION:

Nizamabad district was once considered as agriculturally well developed.  The district’s economy is mostly depended on agricultural sector and more particularly on various crops.  The net irrigated area of the district was about 1.64 lakhs hectors.  The major crops grown in the district are Paddy, Sugarcane, Maize, Turmeric, Cotton, Groundnut, Sunflower and Pulses.  Paddy is the predominant crop and grown during Kharif as well as Rabi season.  Maize is the second major crop grown in both the agricultural seasons.  Among the commercial crops Sugarcane, Turmeric and Cotton are major the important crops with reduced no inflow into drastic fall of grass rooted levels. Nizamasagar and other villages project situation changed dramatically and aggression of natural economy suffered a major jolt.   

1     AGRICULTURE - LAND USE PATTERN : 

In Nizamabad district above 60% of net cropped area is having irrigation facilities through major, medium, minor irrigation projects and ground water structures.  The Geographical area of the district is 806215 ha.  The land utilization particulars of the district for the 2003-2004 are as follows:   

 1.2  IRRIGATION  PATTERN :

 The following are the areas under different sources of irrigation in the District. 

 1.3  LAND HOLDINGS :  

Category wise particulars of Farmers are shown below: 

As seen from the table near by 90% of the farmers are small and marginal farmers.  This is by disadvantage since farm mechanization becomes difficult due to small holdings.  Great effort is required to bring these farmers together.

 1.4   PRESENT SCENARIO :  

Agriculture is the backbone of Nizamabad district for crop husbandry.  Surface water from river Godavari, Manjeera, Aler and other streams like Kalyani, Yadlakatta, Kaulas and Peddavagu.  Nizamsagar, a major irrigation project on river Manjeera (with a registered ayacut of 1.73 lakh ha) is available. The Nizamsagar is irrigating 0.38 lakh ha only at present with well support in ayacut. The Sri Rama Sagar, another major irrigation project on the river Godavari has been constructed, 2 major, 3 medium 137 minor irrigation projects are also constructed with the financial help provided to the state government by NABARD under the RIDF.  These projects (including the check dams) could provide water to irrigate 18443.9 ha of land. 

1.5    TRENDS IN IRRIGATION :  

Under Nizamsagar, only 22% of the registered ayacut is getting water as the storage capacity has been reduced due to deposit of silt and repairs needed immediately to the canal system.  Apart from the above, the farmers are exploiting ground water to raise crops in the district.  The gross and net irrigated area during the last 4 years is indicated below:

1.6    PROPOSED ACTIVITIES:  

In order to achieve the true potential and fulfill the promise of agriculture, the district has to go a long way to meet the challenges ahead to increase the total as well as per unit production of land and animal from the available resources keeping in mind the ecological and environmental sustainability. 

Therefore, in order to mitigate the above situation, the development of appropriate, location specific, ecological sustainable and economically viable technologies that could also be compatible and suitable for the resource poor farmers is inevitable. 

1.7   FARM MECHANISATION

 Objectives:

     To help the small & Marginal farmers in the agriculture sector.
To reduce the cost of cultivation.
To increase the productivity per unit area.
To introduce farm mechanization to reduce the labour cost.
To produce quality value added produce.
To help needy Rythu Mithra Groups in the district.  

In order to achieve the above objectives in small units, farm mechanization can be introduced in the farmer’s fields of small & marginal farmers that would be benefited.  The main purpose of implementing RSVY is to create income generating areas where Rythu Mithra Groups depend on Farm Mechanization can be best popularized among farming community.   

2 DROUGHT PROOFING NIZAMABAD    

Agriculture is the Backbone of Nizamabad District’s economic development, work force of absorption and food security. The average rail fall of the District varies from a maximum of 874 mm to 1036 mm   and the average rainfall of the District is 669 mm. This rain falls more in south west monsoon i.e. 866 mm and in the north west monsoon contributing about 38 mm. Despite this quantum of rain fall the agriculture in the District is characterized by low productivity and mono cropping.  Low productivity caused by absence of protective irrigation to over come the soil moisture stress during the growing period, due to uneven distribution of rain fall and rapid run off.  

In view of the above the following measures need to be under - taken for drought  proofing in Nizamabad District  

Retain the focus on irrigation through labour- intensive appropriate and dispersed techniques penetrating forward level for drought proofing. Depending on the speficity  of the situation, some structures have  to be constructed on farm lands on the higher elevation plots. 

In areas where ecological conditions are not conducive to location specific micro and minor irrigation, soil moisture conservation, biomass optimization and erosion control through watershed development need to be taken up.  

The existing level of ground water is extremely low in most parts of the District, except few Mandals / Villages   in the plains.  The ground water is over exploited in about 368 villages as classified below:

Over exploited       :         151
Critical                  :         73
Semi Critical         :         144  

The total irrigation wells in the District are 1,64,736. the well density in the District is 22 wells per Sq Km against recommended  well density  of 16 wells per Sq Km. Hence there is need to reduce the use of bore wells  to stabilize ground water levels. 

Further groundwater provides the vital buffer in times of drought and remains the only source for drinking water.  For farmers in undulating areas that are outside the command areas of irrigation projects, the conjunctive use of farm ponds, fed by run-off from a higher elevation recharging groundwater in shallow dug wells at a lower level, is the optimal technology.  The second group person excluded from canal irrigation is tail-enders in the plains.

In view of the above the District Administration has proposed the following important steps to mitigate the drought conditions in the District  

2.1 CRITICAL GAPS :

The extreme agrarian distress in Andhra Pradesh attracted national prominence when it resulted in the dramatic increase in suicides by farmers in the region.  These have occurred in substantial numbers for around seven years.  The proximate cause of such suicides is usually the inability to cope with the burden of debt, which farmers find themselves unable to repay.  In most (but not all) cases, the debt was contracted to private moneylenders, as the massive decline in agricultural credit from banks and co-operatives has reduced access especially of small cultivators to institutional credit.  

The crisis in water and irrigation sources can also be traced to these cultivation patterns.  Overuse of groundwater – once again resulting from the absence of public regulation or even advice, as well as the shift to more water-using crops – has caused water tables to fall across the State.  Declining public investment, inadequate maintenance and the regionally uneven pattern of spending, have all made surface water access also problematic.  In consequence, there are now real problems with respect to even the current economic viability of farming as a productive activity in most parts of rural Andhra Pradesh, not to mention its sustainability over time.

Changes in Cropping Pattern :  

With overexploitation of ground water, the water tables especially in water scarce region characterized by uncertain rainfall have been depleted year after year.  In the light of the above, the farmers in the dark and grey areas have been advised by the district administration and also the agricultural scientists not to grow paddy and sugarcane to the extent possible and instead they are advised to grow alternate crops in place of paddy and sugarcane such as maize, jowar, groundnut, sunflower, pulses etc., which will require less water.  

Other Factors Affecting the District :

Nizamabad district was affected by scanty rain fall (last year i.e., 2001-2002).  With a view to mitigate the drought like situation the district administration has taken a good number of relief measures for the farmers by providing seeds, fertilizers, agricultural inputs and equipment on subsidized rates.  Further, banks have also been advised to provide 100 percent crop loans.  

The district administration of Nizamabad is trying to make the agriculture as environmentally sustainable, economically rewarding, intellectually satisfying, happy form family and sustainable farming systems.

In view of the above critical factors, it is very essential to under take drought proofing measures for judicious usage of ground water and ground water recharge/stability.  

The District administration Nizamabad has prepared a perspective plan with Rs. 300 crores for drought proofing measures. The programmes include land resource conservation, crop production and crop diversification, plantation of trees including horticulture, agro forestry, pasture development and development of community degraded lands and the major focus is on poverty alleviation and employment generation. Thrust is being on water conservation through water harvesting measures in the critically drought affected areas and over exploited villages.  

Under the on going programmes of rural development, State Plan Scheme, Centrally sponsored schemes  and special component plan various works for drought proofing are being taken up. How ever it is observed that the efforts taken up under the existing on going schemes leaves a critical gap which needs to be filled-up. To fill-up these critical gaps through the following 3 components an amount of Rs. 19.64 crores is required.  

Capacity building to stake holders on four waters concept for better utilization of water resources.

Filling critical gaps under irrigation system through excavation of new feeder channels to increase the inflows to the existing MI tanks  

To fill the critical gaps in water conservation works particularly in uncovered over exploited villages.  

2.2 FOUR WATERS CONCEPT 

In our country water shed programmes are being implemented by different developmental agencies and  nearly Rs. 1300 crores are being spent every year.  In Andhra Pradesh about 250 crores have been spent since beginning and the water conservation works are being under taken in a traditional way and hence desired result have not been achieved. Sri T.Hanmath Rao, Chairman, Technical Committee, Water Conservation Mission, Andhra Pradesh, Developed four waters concept.  The four waters are 

Rain water
         Surface water
         Ground water and
         Soil moisture (Sub surface crest water)  

By integrated approach of four water concepts, water can be provided to agriculture and drinking water.  Community involvement of farmers in four water concepts, effective implementation of Act and regularization of water under ground water reservoirs will be farmed. Under acute drought conditions also 2 mtrs  ground water level will be maintained from present level of 16 mts level. 

RAIN WATER  :  Out of total rain water
41 %  will go as run off
40 %  will go as evaporation
10 % as soil moisture
 9 %  percolate in to soil  

Evaporation&     Evaporaspiration    Surface runoff    Soil moisture    Ground water recharge

By under taking deferent water conservation structures, the run off water can be percolated in to soil so that the ground water level will be increased and the same can be utilized in crisis period.

Soak Pits  :  Each house hold should have soak pit i.e. Roof top pit with low cost minimum 1’X1’X1’ mtrs.  So that 15 to 20 barrels of water can be percolated in to soil and on an average 100 rainy days percolates 15,000 to 20,000 barrels.

Mini Percolation Tanks  :  Mini Percolation tank at lower level of the field for every 2 to 5  hec.   will be farmed with a cost 2000 to 3000 rupees.  The run off water from catchments area of the field will be collected in the mini percolation tanks, ultimately which will percolate in to soil.

Contour Bunding  :  Bunding across the slopes water can percolate in to ground.  In red soils and light soil water can percolate in to 8 mm depth per hour.  If the soil is mulched with leafs etc.. water can be percolated up to 12 mm for hour.

Farmers will hesitate to take up contour bunding instead they prefers border bunding.  Under these circumstances lower bunds must be in a bigger size, so that an heavy rainy day the bund must be intact.

Percolation Tanks  :  Water flows from up steam to lower level, where ever small  turn  their construct small percolation tanks and if possible construct series of percolation tanks so that construction of big percolation tanks does not arise.  

SURFACE WATER  :  Water available in major medium projects and tanks and kuntas.  By effective implementation of surface water production can be increased.  More water required crops like paddy, sugarcane may be replaced with less  water required crops like Maize, Jowar, Ground nut, Sunflower,  Soyabean etc.,  

The following are Irrigation Systems 

Flooding Ridge and furrow method
Sprinkler irrigation
Drip irrigation  

GROUND WATER  :   only 9% of the rain fall received is percolating in to the ground.  If efforts are made to percolate the rain water by another 9% water will be available for irrigation and drinking water.  By constructing the following structures more rain water can be allowed to percolate in to the ground so that the ground water can be put in usage in crisis period.  

The availability of Ground water  is only 0.307 % of which 0.03% water is useful.  Present ground water mechanism is sufficient to let only 25% of water useful only.

The following structures are being under taken for recharge of ground water.

Dugout pits
Contour bunding
Contour trenches
Mini percolation tanks
Percolation tanks
Sunken pits
Sub surface dams

SOIL MOISTURE  : Soil moisture is only 10 % and by raising cover crops and hedge crops  the soil moisture which is very useful for crops and trees.  If protect the soil moisture evaporation by above methods to the extent of 50% recharge capacity may increases 2 ½ times.  Soil Moisture very useful for trees.

2.3 CAPACITY BUILDING :

Orientation and training on Judicious usage of ground water and dug-out pits, mini percolation tanks and soak pits is the need of the hour to maintain the ground water level as per the National standards.  It is proposed to organize demonstration of successes stories integrated with farmers and Scientists for sensitization.

Initially, it is proposed to organize capacity building to the farming community in all identified 368 over exploited villages for sensitization on water conservation structures and their impact.   The training will be organized at Grama Panchayat level.

ABSTRACT

CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAMMES TO FARMING COMMUNITY  

2.4 IMPACT

The above training programmes can be instrumental in creating awareness among the farming community in judicious usage of ground water and upgrading their knowledge in developmental activities.  The training will help officials in implementing integrated water resources management practices like water management for agriculture, maintenance of ground water levels and proper utilization of water conservation structures.  Further the extension services in irrigation management will be made easy.

3    PROVISION FOR FILLING CRITICAL GAPS UNDER IRRIGATION SYSTEM

3.1 INTRODUCTION     

Water is life sustaining and life giving. Water to agriculture is like oxygen to man. But, it is scarce. The total volume of usable water in the whole world is fixed and is less than half percent of the total volume of water. This makes rational water management all the more essential.  

Studies have shown that irrigation substantially contributes to the reduction of poverty. Poverty has been found to be much less in the areas with higher ratio of irrigation than in areas with a lower ratio. Irrigation tends to raise the level of employment and wages on a sustainable basis both directly and indirectly (through growth of demand for construction, transport, trade and other services). It has been argued that the special concentration of irrigation has weakened the widely admitted inverse relationship between agricultural growth and poverty. Thus the argument for increasing the pace of growth of irrigation gains support from various angles including that of reducing poverty; only the effects will be more pronounced if the inequities and inefficiencies identified are removed.  

Nizamabad District is an agrarian based District. The annual average rainfall is 1081 mm, which is higher than the State average at 982mm. The district falls under Godavari River basin. The Godavari and Manjeera and important rivers flowing in the district, apart from streams like Kalyani, Kaulas, Pedda vagu, etc.,  Nizam Sagar, a major irrigation project on river Manjeera with a registered ayacut of 1.11 lakh ha was constructed in pre-independence era. However, for various reasons, presently, this project could provide irrigation to 0.64 lakh ha only.

Though the Sri Ram Sagar, major irrigation project on river Godavari is constructed, it is providing irrigation in the district only to 6000 ha. In the recent past, 2 major, 1 medium and 11 minor irrigation projects are constructed with the financial help from NABARD. These projects could provide water to 14,000 ha. The ground water is being exploited thorough 1.15 lakh dug/bore wells. The extent of area cultivated under irrigated conditions in any given year will mostly be influenced by the water levels received in to the Nizam Sager Project.  

3.2 PRESENT STATUS:

3.3 Department Activities:

Nizamabad District is having the following three irrigation sectors:

  I.        Minor Irrigation Sector:                      No.of       Ayacut                                                                    Sources   in Acres

          a)       Non command Tanks & Anicuts    323       81.867

II.      Medium Irrigation Sector:

a)       Ramadugu Project                                      5,000
b)       Pocharam Project                                      10,500
c)       Nallavagu Project                                        1,616
           (Ayacut in Nzb.Dist)
d)       Koulasnala Project                                     9,000
                                                                      --------------                                                 Total                  26,116 Ac  

III.      Major Irrigation Sector:  

           A)    Nizamsagar Project (including command   2,31,339
        Area tanks & anicuts (221Nos)
        Ayacut of 54946 Acrs.) 

                   b)       SRS Project (Ayacut in Nzb. Dist)                 28,262 Ac
                                                                                          ----------------
                                                                   Total                 2,59,601 Ac                                                        Grand Total                  3,67,584 Ac                                                                                         ------------------

  I.B. Division, Nizamabad is having Major, Medium and Minor Irrigation Sectors under its control with contemplated ayacut of 3,28,706 Acres. Out of which 2,31,339 Acres is localised under Nizamsagar Project.

3.4 CAPITAL ASSETS CREATED UNDER VARIOUS SCHEMES

3.5 NABARD:  

The following schemes are completed under NABARD assisted RIDP Programme from I to VII.  

3.6 Xth FINANCE COMMISSION WORKS :

Government of Andhra Pradesh has accorded administrative approval for taking (14) M.I. tanks with amount of Rs.467.23 lakhs due to which 2352 acres new I.P. is created.balance (6) works are improvements to existing tanks. All the works are completed. The expenditure incurred for Rs.517.218.  

3.7   THE FOLLOWING SCHMES SANCTIONED UNDER NABARD RIDF-VIII  PROGRAMME, WHICH ARE NEARING COMPLETION : 

3.8 SPECIAL COMPONENT PLAN :  

Government vide G.O.Ms.No.544, dated 16.02.2002 accorded administrative approval for taking up Constg. Of New ank a/c. Rajola Lanka sream near Karadpally (V), Tadwai (M) for an amount of Rs.51.25 lakhs with contemplated ayacut 124 acres ID and work is completed. The expenditure-incurred upto 9/2004 is Rs.46.513 lakhs.  

3.9 RIDF-VIII-(PHASE-1)-NABARD: NEERU-MEERU (SMC Structures) : 

The Government of Andhra Pradesh allotted Rs.457.65 lakhs to take up the 155 works under Neeru-Meeru vide G.O.Ms.No.659, dated 24.4.2002. In this 148 works are grounded and completed and balance works are dropped on various reasons. The expenditure is Rs.391.362 lakhs incurred including rice cost.  

3.10 IDF-VIII-(PHASE-II)-NABARD: NEERU-MEERU (SMC Structures) :  

115 works costing 300 lakhs have been sanctioned in which 102 works are completed and balance works are nearing completion. The expenditure is incurred to end of 9/2004 is Rs.224.684 lakhs.  

3.11 APERP(MR)–MAJOR IRRIGATION FOR THE YEAR 2003-04 (GO.MS.NO.68, DT: 8.5.2003) 

The following works are proposed & completed under APERP (MR) Major Irrigation sector for the year 2003-04.

3.12 APERP (MR) - MINOR IRRIGATION TANKS: 

The Govt. of Andhra Pradesh has sanctioned Rs.721.64 lakhs for taking up Minimum Rehabilitation of 263 Minor Irrigation tanks under APERP for Nizamabad Dist. Vide G.O.Ms.No.35, dated 29.02.2000 and G.O.Ms.No.23, dt. 14.02.2001. Out of which 253 works costing Rs.645.770 lakhs are technically sanctioned and grounded. 249 works completed and balance 4 works are nearing completion and programmed to be completed by11/204. The expenditure-incurred upto 9/2004 is Rs.545.833 lakhs.  

3.13 CRITICAL GAPS AND PROP. FOR SUPPLEMENTING THE GAPS :

Nizamsagar Project was constructed during the years 1923-1931 across Manjeera River in Nizamabad District, Andhra Pradesh. It was proposed to irrigate 2.75 lakhs acres with storage reduced from 29 TMC to 11.80 TMC. The capacity of the reservoir was increased from 11.60 to 18\7.80 TMC by raising the FRL from EL + 1400.50 to 1405.00 feet under Remodeling scheme of Nizamsagar project with a cost of Rs.2,400.00 lakhs. After construction of the SRSP reservoir of Pochampad in Nizamabad District part of the tail end ayacut has come under submergence of SRSP and a part ayacut in the Command of SRSP and thus the ayacut under Nizamsagar project was relocalised in the year 1973 and arrived to 2,31, 339 acres. But due to reduction of only 1,68,000 acres per Annum in good years. The project is covering 326 villages with 155 Km. Long main canal, having 82 main distributaries and 243 sub-distributaries with a total length of 1770 Km.  

After construction of the projects came up stream in the catchment area laying in Maharashtra, Karnataka and A.P. states. Due to their interception, the inflows into Nizamsagar have been reduced considerably. During 1996-97 two schemes for diversion of surplus flows of Singitham and Kalyani streams to the main canal of Nizamsagar project were taken up to supplement 1 to 2 TMC of water to stabilize the existing ayacut under Nizamsagar project. Even with these measures project is not in a position to provide water to the entire ayacut. Singoor project was constructed for a capacity of 30 TMC in upstream of Nizamsagar project, resulting reduction of inflow into Nizamsagar project and there by Nizamsagar project was not filled from several years.  

• The improvements were taken up under the following programmes after Remodeling  

• Irrigation Advancement Programme (I.A.P) (1989 to 1991):  

Certain Major Distributaries were improved with budget of Rs.417 lakhs. 

• National Water Management Programme (NWMP) (1993-1995)  

Under this programme main canal and major distributaries were repaired with a budget of 846 lakhs against the sanctioned budget of Rs.3600 lakhs but scheme was closed on 1995.  

• A.P.E.R.P (1997-2004):

The WUAs, DCs and Project Committees have been provided with an amount of Rs. 1264 lakhs. The total works have been carried out by WUA & DCs except PC works which were carried out as per National Competitive Bidding norms. Mainly the works have been taken as per decision of Farmers Management Committee.  

• Modernization of Nizamsagar Project  

Proposals have been submitted to Chief Engineer, Major Irrigation for carrying out repairs to existing structures, canals, distributaries including system tanks for an amount of Rs.43.00 crores.

In addition to the above, it is proposed to be lined the Nizamsagar project canal system from Km.0.00 to tail end to minimize seepage losses as per the guidelines issued in the case of SRSP for which detailed surveys are in progress. The approximate amount required for lining is about Rs.150.00 crores.  

3.14 PROPOSALS FOR SUPPLEMENTING THE ONGOING SCHEMES 

The Nizamsagar Project is the first project on river Manjeera with 105 TMC expected yield. The catchment are of Nizamsagar Project is 21702 Sq.kms. of which33% in A.P. 48% in Maharashtra and 19% in Karnataka. In 33% of A.P. catchment area, a portion of catchment area will drain to Karnataka. This area is 19% of the total catchment area.  

Due to construction of many projects in the upper region, the inflows into Nizamsagar Project dwindled much. The reservoir received 4 to 6 TMC during the years 1992, 93, 94, 97, 2001, 2002 and 2003.  

Due to these meager inflows, the ayacut above Alisagar is 1.15 lakhs acres only being irrigated that too with supplementation from Singapoor Project and ground water utilisation.  

In view of these meager inflows the ayacut 1.16 lakh acres below Alisagar proposed to be supplemented from the following schemes.  

• Alisagar Lift Irrigation scheme from Godavari river to supplement distributory 50 to 73 for an ayacut of 53,793 acres.  

• Gutpa Lift Irrigation scheme from Godavari river to supplement distributory 74 to 82 for an ayacut of 38,792 acres.  

• (11) numbers of APSIDC Lift Irrigation schemes to supplement 23,415 acres.  

• Supplementation of 3,000 acres Nizamsagar oritinal ayacut (2.75 lakh acres) by lift from Sriram Sagar project (D/3 of Laxmi canal).  

There are (221) No.of command area tanks and Anicuts with a registered ayacut of 54,946 acres. No. repairs have been taken up for the command area tanks since long time. Now 36 Nos. of Feeder channels have been proposed with a cost of Rs.97.606 under Rastriya Sama Vikasa Tojana Command Area tanks to fill up the gap ayacut of832 acres with a utilisation of 124.80 Mcft. of water.  

3.15 MEDIUM IRRIGATION SECTOR–PRESENT STATUS AND GAPS:

• In Medium Irrigation Sector, improvements to Ramadugu project and Pocharam project have been completed with NABARD Assistance under RIDF-II & II for Rs.533.00 lakhs for stabilization of contemplated ayacut of 15,400 acres.  

• A Medium Irrigation project Koulasnala project is constructed across Koulasnala a Major tributary to Manjeera river to irrigate 9,000 acres ID crops. The project is completed in all respects with NABARD Assistance under RIDF-I for Rs.3519.81 lakhs.  

Proposals have been submitted to Chief Engineer, Medium Irrigation to modernization of Medium Irrigation projects i.e., RAMADUGU, POCHARAM projects for an amounting of Rs.29.00 crores.

In Nizamabad District there are (332) Nos. of Non-command area tanks and anicuts with a registered ayacut of 79,665 acres. The Govt. of Andhra Pradesh has sanctioned Rs.721.64 lakhs for taking up Minimum Rehabilitation of 263 Minor Irrigation tanks under APERP for Nizamabad District vide G.O.Ms.No.35, Date:29.02.2000 and GO.Ms.No.23, Date:14.2.2001. Out of which 254 works costing of Rs.655.78 lakhs are technically sanctioned and grounded. 250 works completed and balance 4 works are nearing completion.

Due to uneven and short rainfall in the catchment area, the average Irrigation during the last 5 years is 20,322 Ac. In Khariff and 4,641 Ac. In Rabi. In addition to the catchment area earmarked to the tanks is not fulfilling the requirement of water for irrigating the registered ayacut under it.  

The year wise actual irrigation under Medium Irrigation Sector is as follows:  

3.16 MEDIUM IRRIGATION - PROPOSALS UNDER RSVY : 

After proper investigation and conducting feasibility study 35 Nos. of  feeder channels which are not covered under any other programme are identified and proposed under Rastriya Sama Vikasa Yojana. 

ABSTRACT OF MEDIUM IRRIGATION WORKS PROPOSED UNDER RSVY 

4  PROVISION FOR WATER CONSERVATION STRUCTURES 

4.1  INTRODUCTION 

Water is indispensable resource for the sustenance of all life and is the basic need for all activities right from agriculture to industry.  With the ever-increasing pressure on human population, there has been a severe stress on water resources.  Neglect of traditional bodies like tanks and ponds indiscriminate exploitation of ground water, improper maintenance of surface water system has aggravated the problems still further.  

Due to lack of advance planning and improper utilisation of available water, lands are either getting degraded or turning into wastelands and become unproductive. To give an example, Andhra Pradesh has a total area of 275 lakh hectares of which 115 lakh hectares of land have either degraded or turning into wastelands which constitutes 42% of total geographical area of the state.  Reasons attributed to this were not lack of rainfall but improper utilisation of available water, indiscriminate drawl of surface water and evaporation losses including evapo-transpiration and run off losses.  

Over the years, in addition to traditional water harvesting structures like tanks and village ponds, number of schemes to develop wastelands has been devised based on the availability of water resources.  However, benefits of such schemes were limited because of the vast size and population of the country.  Further desired impact could not be achieved as the planning was mostly top down coupled with lack of co-ordination among various departments and hardly with any people’s participation.

Nizamabad district is an agriculturally well-developed district.  The annual normal rainfall of the district is 1036 mm.  However, the actual rainfall received during 2002-2003 is 654 mm.  The district falls under Godavari river basin.  The Godavari and Manjeera are important rivers flowing in the district, apart from streams like Kalyani, Kaulas, Padda Vaagu etc.

Nizamsagar, a major irrigation project on river Manjeera with a registered ayacut of 1.73 lakhs ha was constructed in pre-independence era.  However, for reasons best known to us, presently, this project could provide irrigation to 0.38 lakh ha only.  Though, the Sri Rama Sagar, a major irrigation project on river Godavari is constructed, it is providing irrigation in the district to the extent of 6000 ha only.  In the recent past, 2 major, 3 medium and 137 minor irrigation projects are constructed with the financial help from NABARD.  These projects could provide water to irrigate more than 18443.9 ha of land.  The ground water is being exploited through 1.20 lakh dug/.bore wells.  The extent of area cultivated under irrigated conditions in any given year will mostly be influenced by the quantum of water received in the Nizamsagar Project and other projects.

4.2  OBJECTIVES OF WATER CONSERVATION : 

The objective of the Water Conservation is to make concrete efforts on the conservation and utilization of water on sustainable basis with a focus on holistic planning and sustainable development of river basin and sub-basins.  A perspective plan under the project IWDP-III has been devised to achieve this objective as broadly explained below:  

• Develop a clear vision and strategy for water conservation and its sustainable utilization at the district level.  

• Prepare time bound action plan and take measures to ensure convergence of the plans and programmes of the various departments working directly or indirectly for water conservation and utilization.  

• Ensure promotion of suitable cost effective and sustainable measures for water conservation and utilization in the district.

• Initiate public debate on important policy issues related to water conservation and its sustainable use and build consensus for policy reforms related to water and its sustainable utilization.  

4.3  GROUND WATER POTENTIAL :  

The entire development of major and medium irrigation is taking place through budgetary resources.  In the context of united scope for development of surface water potential under Minor irrigation through institutional support, more focus and thrust should be given for increasing minor irrigation potential through ground water development. 

4.4  GROUND WATER RESOURCES :  

Over the years, the role of ground water as a source of irrigation has been continuously increasing.  Agar the advent of high yielding variety farming, the district witnessed phenomenal rise in construction of ground water based structures for irrigation like open wells, bore wells, tube wells etc,. the failure of major and medium irrigation projects to serve the entire registered ayacut made the farmers, more particularly in the tail-end areas, to depend on ground water.  The accelerated development of ground water irrigation was the cause of depletion of ground water resources especially in water scarce region characterized by uncertain rainfall.

4.5  CLASSIFICATION OF AREAS :  

Recently ground water is reassessed dividing the district into 46 basins of which 15 are categorized over developed, 5 as critical, 16 as semi-critical and 10 as safe.  By this ground water estimate is assessed that the net ground water availability for irrigation is 1137 MCM, ground water draft is 972 MCM and balance is 165 which can sustain 13180 wells. 

The declining trends of disbursements of bank credit in some areas are due to predominance of ‘dark’ mandals restricting ground water development for exploitation of available ground water resources.  The emphasis in such areas needs to be on effective water management system adopting modern techniques like drip, sprinkler and utilization of surface water resources.

4.6  CATEGORISATION OF OVER EXLOITED VILLAGES :

The ground water potential is currently estimated on the basis of ground water basins and sub units of the irrigation command and non - command areas. The 36 Mandals of Nizamabad District were divided in to 46 ground water basins. In this 46 basins 15 basins fall in over exploited category 6 basins are critical, 15 are semi critical and 10 are safe basins.  It is notified that there are 368 over exploited villages in the District as classified below.  

Over exploited       :         151
         Critical                  :           73
         Semi Critical          :         144

4.7 WATER CONSERVATION MEASURES &COST EFFECTIVE STRUCTURES:

The following various water conservation measures are being under taken by various line departments in accordance with the technical committees reports depending on the conditions of local areas   

Trenching -     Continuous Contour Trenching (CCT), Staggered Trenching, 
                         Bunding
Tanks        -   Desiltation  of Existing tanks, Restoration of Tanks,
                      Percolation Tanks,   Removal of Tank encroachments 
Ponds        -     Sunken Ponds, Dugout Ponds, Farm Ponds
Dams         -     Rock Fill Dams, Check Dams, Subsurface Dams
Others       -     Soak Pits, Breach Closures, Feeder Channels, Supply
                        channels, Diversion Weirs, Recharge through Driedup Open
                        Wells, Gabian Structure, Others

4.8  PERCOLATION TANKS :  

Percolation tank (a tank constructed on porous state of soil) is one which is meant for improving the ground water supplies through artificial recharge of ground water and is constructed with sole purpose of enhancing rainfall infiltration into the ground.  The percolation tank is an artificial pond created by putting small dams across nalas and watercourses.  The objective is to impound free flow of water so as to facilitate percolation vertically below and then move in the sub-surface laterally and this indirectly recharges the down stream area.  These tanks are very effective means of increasing recharge provided they are properly sited and constructed. NRSA data may be used for identifying the location for construction of percolation tanks.

4.9  PRESENT SCENARIO :

There are 3 Major drainage basins viz., Godavari, Manjira and Maneru rivers basins in the district comprising of 46 Micro Basins covering the entire area of 8062 Sq.Kms.  The average normal rainfall in the district is 1036 mm,.  During the last year the rainfall is 797.20 mm., which is far below the normal rainfall with a deviation of (-) 19.70 %.  

Nizamabad district being an agriculture intensive district is depending mainly on groundwater for irrigation.  Even in Command Area as a result of reservoirs going dry, farmers are mainly depending on groundwater for irrigation. As a result, there has been heavy exploitation of groundwater in all areas of district leading to a steep decline of groundwater levels.  For instance, the studies conducted through (28) Piezometers reading and (90) Observation wells it is observed that with in a span of 6 years the water table fell by 5 to 11 mts., which is alarming.  

In order to arrest the decline in the ground water levels and ensure that the cultivable area is stabilized a number of artificial recharge structures have been taken up in the district.  Nearly 3123 No. of structures have been formed.  In addition to this, very high priority areas have been treated under watersheds.  (64) such watersheds are being implemented in the district.  Out of a total No. of 3123 structures constructed in the district, impact analysis and consequent economic benefit study was carried out for nearly 200 structures.  It is observed that the general rise in water table in the zone of influence of the structure is between 2.5 to 3.5 mts.  The increase in water table has benefited in rejuvenating dried up bore wells while also creating new sources.  As a result of available water resources, the area under cultivation in the zone of influence of the structures has increased by 25 to 30% despite low rainfall during last 3 years.  The farmers have also being able to cultivate double crops in some area.  The farmers have also been able to cultivate double crops in some areas.  Due to increase of agriculture activity water employment and income level of farmers have gone up.  

The impact is more perceivable in areas where sub surface check dam have been constructed.  For example, such structures formed at Gunjali, Akloor, Palem and Pachalnadikunda villages have been able to provide ground water throughout the year for additional area of 200 acres each.  In villages such Ankole, Durki, Mylaram, Avalgaon as a result of check dams constructed, the area under cultivated has increased by above 50 acres in each village.  

In 50 watershed villages as result of ongoing projects the net additional area brought under cultivation is around 1700 acres.  Due to increased agriculture activity wage employment has been increased and labour migration reduced by 72% Agriculture productivity has increased by 24% in the watershed village.  

In view of the encouraging results given by artificial recharge structures.  It is necessary to take up such structure at all feasible locations especially in areas having low rainfall without irrigation sources.  A comprehensive plan, drainage basin wise has been prepared taking into account the rainfall and run off available, The comprehensive master plan is prepared to take up around 4025 structure at an estimated cost of 46.33 crores in phases, so as to fill in the gaps and arrest decline of ground water and provide a stable irrigation sources, which would help in reducing drought, labour migration and increase agriculture productivity.  

4.10 WATER CONSERVATION – MAJOR INITIATIVES :

Sustainable development of rural areas involves conservation of land and management of water resources.  With the increasing pressure of the ever-growing human and cattle population, increased living standards and the concomitant economic activities are exerting tremendous pressure on the finite natural resources. Due to lack of advance planning and non-judicious/indiscriminate use of natural resources, ground water levels are getting depleted and lands are getting either degraded or turning into wasteland.  In India out of total 3,290 lakh ha nearly 50% of land is either waste or degraded.  Andhra Pradesh Government have launched a massive 10 years watershed programme for development of all degraded and waste land during 1997 with an aim of treating 100 lakh ha of land.  The Government of Andhra Pradesh has constituted Water conservation Mission during April 2001 with the prime objective of conservation and utilisation of water on a sustainable basis.

To fulfill the aim of treating these 100 lakh ha of lands the Government of Andhra Pradesh has created a new department in each district called District Water Management Agency.

The Nizamabad District Administration is implementing the following programmes:

4.11 ANDHRA PRADESH MICRO IRRIGATION PROJECT (APMIP) :

The Government of Andhra Pradesh has conceived a project called the “Andhra Pradesh Micro Irrigation Project (APMIP)” with a view to improving irrigation water management practices to improve the crop-productivity and augment agriculture production by effectively utilising every drop of the water through adoption of micro-irrigation techniques.  

Under the Project, it is proposed to bring an area of 3528 ha with a financial outlay of Rs.1023-94 lakhs to cover various sectors such as horticulture, agriculture, sericulture and sugarcane.  Fifty percent of the total project cost will be supported by the State Government through subsidy, while the balance 50% shall be borne by the beneficiaries out of their own resources or through financial support from the banking sector.

4.12 INTEGRATED WASTELANDS DEVELOPMENT PROJECT (IWDP) :

This scheme has been under implementation since 1989-90 and has come to Nizamabad District during 1997-98. The scheme is being implemented on watershed basis under the new guidelines for water shed development.  The District water management agency is implementing the scheme at the district level through line departments. 

The scheme also helps in generation of employment in rural areas besides enhancing people’s participation in the wastelands development programmes at all stages.  This leads to equitable sharing of benefits and sustainable development.

The major activities taken up under the Scheme are :  

• Soil and moisture conservation measures like terracing, bunding, trenching, vegetative barriers etc.

• Planting and sowing of multi-purpose trees, shrubs, grasses, legumes and pasture land development.  

• Encouraging natural regeneration.  

• Promotion of agro-forestry and horticulture.  

• Wood substitution and fuel-wood conservation measures.  

• Measures needed to disseminate technology.  

• Training, extension and creation of greater degree of awareness among the participants.  

• Encouraging people’s participation.

ONGOING SCHEMES :

The District Water Management Agency Nizamabad is executing the following works under IWDP-II and IWDP-III.  

4.14 WDP – II :  

The Project is sanctioned during 1997-98 and extended upto 31.03.2005.  There are (25) watersheds identified in this project covering (4) mandals viz. Madnoor, Jukkal, Morthad, Balkonda with the cost of Rs.500.00 lakhs.  The amount released so far is Rs.388.74 lakhs in which the expenditure made so far is Rs.437.74 lakhs which comes to 88.22 % of the release.  The area identified for treatment is 12,500 Ha. @ 500 Ha. Per watershed and so far an area of 11118.00 Ha has been treated, which comes to 88.94% and now the work is in progress.  In the evaluation of watersheds, which was done in September 2003, all the (25) watersheds are got “A” grade.  

  4.15 IWDP – III :

This is a new project sanctioned for (14) watersheds in (3) Mandals viz. Gandhari, S.S.Nagar and Tadwai during 2003-2004 and continued upto 2007-2008.  The total project cost is Rs.420.00 lakhs and the first release received is Rs.63.00 lakhs and  have been expended which comes to 100% and out of targeted area for treatment 7,000.00 ha.,  an area of 1188.00 ha. have been treated so for which comes to 16.97%.  

  4.15 Rural Infrastructure Development Fund :

The National Bank for Agricultural and Rural Development (NABARD) has sanctioned following works under RIDF-IV.   

4.16 ABSTRACT OF ACTION PLAN FOR WATERSHED DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME :

Name of the Project                        :               IWDP – III
Project Outlay                                :               Rs.420 lakhs.
Total Project area                           :               7,000 hectors
No. of Water Sheds                         :                    14
No. of Private Holdings                    :                1603
No. of hectors – Community land     :                5803
No. of Hectors – Forest Land           :                  414
No. of User Groups formed              :                    70
No. of Water Associations formed    :                    14
No. of Water Committees formed     :                    14  

4.17 CRITICAL GAPS :

The technology on watershed development for different hydro geological regions and agro-climatic zones will have to be developed in order to maximize the benefits. 

The organizational aspects, finances, programmed content, training and capacity building including Participatory Rural Approach (PRA)  will have to be developed in order to maintain the benefits. 

The field technical and non-technical personnel implementing the programmed should be heightened, so that they can easily follow the plans and estimates.

Most of the areas in Nizamabad district are already identified as dark areas for ground water potential and immediate attention is required to get the ground water recharged through SMCs.

4.18 PROPOSALS UNDER RSVY :  

The Government of Andhra Pradesh has established District Water Management Agencies to implement water conservation works under Central and State sponsored schemes like IWDP, EAS, RIDF, NERU MERU and APWALTA.

The District Water Management Agency Nizamabad has successfully implementing the water conservation and water harvesting structures to arrest the declining the ground water levels and ensure the cultivable area stabilization.  

ABSTRACT OF WATER CONSERVATION WORKS PROPOSED UNDER RSVY

4.19 JUSTIFICATION REPORT ON PROPOSED SMC WORKS UNDER RSVY

The Normal Annual rainfall of the district is 1036 mm.  Since more than half a decade the rainfall is showing a declining trend particularly during the years 2001-2002, 2002-2003 and 2003-2004 with an annual rainfall of 878.3 mm. 655.60 mm & 872.10 mm. Respectively.  On the other had the area under cultivation is showing an up-ward trend demanding more and more exploitation of available ground water resources.  

The rainfall received is not sufficient to recharge the water to the desived levels.  As 90% of irrigation water is met from the ground water, there is every need to harvest and conserve every drop of rainwater for the Agriculture to be more sustainable by way of assured irrigation and to meet the drinking water demands of the people.  The possible ways and means of bridging the gap is constructing SMC structures to prevent the process of desertification.  The proposed works can harvest nearly 347 Meft of water.  Due to this Ground water gets recharged and can be utilized to meet the irrigation requirements of 5415 acres and provides assured irrigation and prevents the farmers from losses due to the regular droughts.  The district is known for commercial crops such as Sugarcane, Turmeric, Cotton besides production of quality seeds of Jowar and Bajra production.  Hence, the proposed activity will not only help the farming community but also the Industries, which provide wage employment to a large no. of peoples.  

4.20 IMPACT

• The impact of the proposed SMC works will be even more when ID crops such as Maize, Turmeric, Cotton etc., are grown. 

• The proposed activity will also help in raising of Fodder crops, which improve the Milk production.

• It will help in decreasing the migration of laborers.

• The proposed works will improves community needs like increase in water table in the drinking water supply Bore-wells in the vicinity.  

• The advantages of taking up of these structures is that the localized ayacut will be spread all over the district and ultimately help in increasing the productivity and income of the farmers and gross domestic product of the district.