Water harvesting structure-farm pond for increasing crop yields and farm income in rainfed semi-arid ecosystem of Karnataka

Abstract

This study evaluated the impact of farm ponds constructed under the Krishi Bhagya Scheme in the Northern Dry Zone of Karnataka from 2022 to 2024. A total of 320 farmers were selected for data collection, divided into two groups: farmers with or without farm ponds. Each group comprised 160 farmers, who were chosen using a multi-stage stratified random sampling technique. Various statistical methods were used to analyse the data, including descriptive statistics, tabular analysis, and t-tests. The findings indicated that cropping intensity significantly increased among farmers with ponds (157%) compared to those without (142%). This improvement was attributed to effective on-farm rainwater conservation and the harvesting of surplus runoff in ponds, which provided supplemental irrigation during critical periods. Additionally, farmers with ponds experienced greater crop yields and farm income than the control group, resulting in a percentage increase in income from 17% to 48%. Employment generation, measured in man-days, also improved among farmers with ponds, showing a substantial increase in work opportunities, particularly during the rabi season (69%) compared to the kharif season (31%). The construction of farm ponds also influenced the number of livestock maintained, particularly cows, sheep, and goats. The ponds provided essential drinking water and fodder, ensuring alternative livelihood opportunities in rainfed regions. Consequently, adopting farm ponds fosters sustainable production and promotes efficient natural resource management in these areas.