Impact assessment of watershed management on irrigation potential and crop productivity at Kadwanchi watershed in Jalna district

Abstract

Kadwanchi watershed (1446.20 ha) in the Jalna district of Maharashtra, India was developed under the Indo-German Watershed Development Programme from 1995- 2001. The impact evaluation of various soil and water conservation measures (SWC) i.e., continuous contour trenches (CCTs), farm bunds, cement nala bunds (CNB), earthen nala bunds, and loose boulder structures was conducted in this study. Also, the impact of SWC measures on the assessment of groundwater and irrigation potential was assessed over two years (2019-20) for the six open wells randomly selected in the upper, middle, and lower reaches of the watershed. The impact of SWC measures on cropping intensity, crop productivity, and economic conditions of the farmers was also studied through the personal interviews of farmers using a standard questionnaire. Results revealed that due to an increase in groundwater level of 1.97 m and better land use patterns, an increase in net sown area, cropping intensity, and crop productivity of 80.70%, 182%, and 75.46% respectively. The farmers have shifted to horticulture and cash crops instead of cereal crops with an average area of 558.20 ha being under horticultural and cash crops. The positive impact of the watershed development programme at the Kadwanchi watershed resulted in the improved economic status of the farmers and employment generation of INR 80 million. during post-development (2019-20) compared to its predevelopment period (1995-96).