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Check Dam Impact
Assessment
2010 This is a small-scale research project undertaken in Nagda, situated in Ujjain District, Madhya Pradesh. The aim of the research is to assess socio-economic impacts of check dam implementation.
Cara Redlich ASA Volunteer
2
Contents
Executive Summary 3 Aim 4
Objective 4 Brief Overview of ASA 4
Agricultural Overview of Ujjain 5 Agricultural Overview of Nagda 5
ASA Nagda - Perspectives 6 Check Dam Programme 7
Methodology 8 Mr Vikram Singh 9
Mr Bhanwal Lal 10 Mr Nirbhay Ram Patidar 12
Mr Vinod Patidar 12/13 Conclusions 13
Bibliography 14
3
Executive Summary Check Dams
The implementation of check dams at a multitude of sites across Madhya Pradesh (M.P. henceforth)
has aided the lives of rural farming communities. The construction of check dams has allowed
seasonal monsoon rains to be held for far longer, maximising availability of natural resources in
sustainable ways. This practice, in turn, allows farmers to become significantly more efficient and
therefore profitable in order to sustain a livelihood.
Overview of Study
This small-scale qualitative study assesses the socio-economic impacts of 4 check dams in Nagda,
Ujjain District. Focus group discussions (FGD) were held amongst beneficiaries within different
villages to ascertain various ways in which the construction of a check dam had impacted upon
people’s lives.
Main Achievements
FGDs helped the study to uncover the main socio-economic impacts that farmers felt the check dam
had bought. Summarised briefly here:
Improving educational opportunities
Improving provision of health care treatment
Saving for costly future endeavours
Reinvestment of income back into the farming business as safeguard for future
Acknowledgements
Firstly, I would like to thank Jayanthi for arranging for me to visit Nagda to undertake research there
and for providing assistance with practicalities.
Also, a huge thank you to Shaily Awasthy for her translating abilities, help and company throughout
in the study.
To those within the Nagda office; to team leader, Anil Sharma for allowing his precious time. To Ajay
Chouhan and Gajendra Singh, who kindly transported Shaily and I to each village, introducing us to
each beneficiary and allowing insight into their everyday roles at ASA.
I also wish to extend sincere gratitude to all the farmers we met with, for their hospitality,
friendliness and enthusiasm for sharing with us their life stories.
Finally, thank you to all those at ASA who have proved supportive at every stage of the study
process.
Dhanyavad!
4
Aim The aim of this small-scale qualitative research is to assess the socio-economic impact of check dams
upon the lives of four farmers situated in Nagda, Ujjain District, M.P.
Objective The objective of this small scale research project is to ascertain how check dam implementation has
impacted upon the lives of farming communities, specifically in developmental capacities of health,
education and long-term financial security.
Brief Introduction to ASA Action for Social Advancement (ASA) is a not-for-profit development organisation set up in 1996 by a
group of development specialists, to serve the interests of the rural poor within M.P. and Bihar. ASA
places strong emphasis upon participatory action at the grassroots level in terms of teaching,
knowledge sharing, building viable community institutions and access to services. Equal weight is
also placed upon the effective and sustainable use of available natural resources. The combined
community and natural resource approach strives to empower groups and secure economic survival.
ASA’s remit reached over 120,000 families shortly before 2009. This number has now increased
further with an additional district office in Jumui, Bihar and 5 new district offices in Hoshangabad,
Indore, Khargone, Mandla, and Tikamgarh within M.P.
The 4 main thematic areas in operation are:
Land, Water and Agriculture Productivity Enhancement
Agri-business Promotion
Micro Finance
Research and Development
5
Agricultural Overview of Ujjain Ujjain district is situated north-west of
M.P. The geographical area measures
6,015 Sq Km. The population size is
17.10 Lakh, of which 61% live in 1,092
villages. The ratio of men to women is
51:49. Of the total population, 24.71%
is Schedule Caste and 3.11%
Scheduled Tribe. Ujjain annually
receives an average 1,000mm rainfall
of which most falls during July and
August.
The average land holding is 1.55 ha.
About 8.5% of the land has irrigation
facilities; except for a minority of 8-10%
the entire agricultural system is rain-fed
and therefore vulnerable to
unpredictable trends of monsoon.
Soybean is the main Kharif (monsoon
season, July-Oct) crop (>60%) followed by
maize (25%) cotton (9%) black gram and
minor millets. During Rabi (winter
growing season Oct-March), wheat is grown in more than 65% of the land, when irrigated, along
with chickpea crops if soil moist levels are sufficient.
Summary of Ujjain: Productivity for major crops is 3-4 times less than the state and country's average (ITC Proposal, 5)
Agricultural Overview of Nagda A report submitted by ASA to ITC Limited in 2008-9 outlines the main agricultural concerns in the
area surrounding Nagda. They are numerous, and interrelated in scope:
Deterioration of natural resources, undulating topography due to denudation of forest
Drought caused by erratic rainfall
Very little private or public investment in water harvesting, resulting reliance on rainfall
Ground water depletion, reports of bore wells drying up
Poor crop productivity, lack of crop or varietal diversity
Livestock productivity below state and national level, lack of natural resources: fodder
Lack of regulated financial services, high prevalence of high-interest money lenders
Livelihood supplement by seasonal employment migration for 4-5 months of the year
6
Yet, the capacity for change and improvement is vast. ASA notes the potential of water harvesting in
the areas surrounding Nagda, indeed it states:
“The project area receives about 900 mm rainfall. However, most of it lost through run off. If harvested at least a portion of it, say 30%, it can change the production system from marginal to
high potential” (ITC Proposal, 4)
ASA Nagda - Perspective of Mr Anil Sharma Mr Sharma has been the team leader of the Nagda office for the past year. Prior to this,
he had been working at different ASA field offices and so has ample experience of
development issues and practices.
Mr Sharma told us that the rural areas surrounding Nagda had been inhabited with
farming communities living in poverty. They had land but limited access to water. This is the reason
for ASA’s presence in the region: to maximise the use of available land and water resources to
ensure livelihoods.
Q: How do you feel projects implemented by ASA have affected the lives of rural communities?
A: “ASA adopted the role started in 2006-7 by an ITC initiative entitled Mission Sunehra Kal, Nagda.
Before this, there were no government backed water harvesting schemes in place. This is the first
time in the Nagda Block that the public have really engaged and participated, in terms of planning
and implementation. As a result, the impacts have been: increased water level, and because of
direct water irrigation, production has increased up to 30-40%. Where village Water User
Community production is high, economic indicators are high (up to 10-15%). People can now afford
to improve their home or buy a new house, change their lifestyle, they’re thinking for better
education outside of the village - they have options”.
Local Area Perspective of Mr Ajay Chouhan Ajay has been working as a Development Assistant within the ASA Nagda Team for the
past month. Ajay’s role as a development assistant involves meeting with farmers on a
regular basis during project formulation, implementation, evaluation and monitoring.
Q: What impact has ASA had on farmers’ lives?
A: “Before ASA the farmers were very poor, they didn’t have enough water
for irrigation but ASA came with check dams, then they got sufficient levels
of water. Previously crop production was approximately 15 quintal per
hectare, but with sufficient water harvesting this has increased. Now it’s 20
to 25 quintal per hectare for wheat. Earlier, farmers didn’t know the
technique of sowing seed, now ASA has educated them about it, and soil
testing, and given knowledge about insufficient nutrients so suggested for
better nutrients and fertilizers to increase crop size. Due to construction of
the check dam, livestock also have sufficient water for drinking”.
“Due to increase of
production, income
has also increased
using money for
better education,
health policies,
symbolising a total
change of lifestyle”
7
Check Dam Programme Background It is well documented, observed and recorded that more people living in rural areas are poorer than
those living in urban areas in India. Development expert, Harnath Jagawat for example, sites that of
the total population of about 268 million living below the poverty line in 2001, 205 million (74%)
were living in rural areas. Furthermore, there were higher incidences of poverty amongst agricultural
workers, followed closely by those self-employed in agriculture (Jagawat, 2005, 1).
Development professionals have long seen sustainable management of natural resources as a way
out of poverty. Water harvesting has become one widely spread resolution amongst rural farming
communities in India. Water harvesting helps to conserve and maximise the use of water in
sustainable ways. Jagawat summarises the potential of India’s agricultural industry thus:
“In most of the semi-arid regions of India, inadequate availability of water is the most limiting factor in agricultural and rural development. Those regions receive, on average, 400mm to 1,000mm rainfall annually, which if harvested and used judiciously, could support a higher
cropping intensity than the existing one” (Jagawat, 2005, 15). Check Dam The check dam is one such example of water harvesting. They are small scale, low cost structures
constructed across a stream to slow or hold the flow of rainwater. There are numerous additional
advantages to the dam structure such as affecting the flood-load deposit during Kharif, decreasing
the erosive force of water and increasing the contact time of water with land surface (Murty, 1994,
46). Such outcomes ultimately increase the recharge of rainwater into the ground, extending and
maximising the time available to make use of monsoon rain.
They are made either of temporary materials such as brush, poles, wire and loose rock or more
permanent masonry materials (Rao, 2000, 125). This study will remain focussed on the latter type of
check dam.
ASA’s Check Dam Programme As part of ASA’s Land, Water and Agriculture Productivity Enhancement Programme, check dam
implementation has become key to improving livelihood security for farmers in M.P. However, as
critical as dam construction, is building community institutions to manage initial as well as future
maintenance costs and responsibilities.
Either farmers themselves, having learned of check dam benefits from other villages, or ASA
fieldworkers will prompt the proposal to village groups. Consequently, a Water User Community
must be established, consisting of those farmers of a village whom the dam will directly benefit. It is
amongst this group that a leader will be chosen and a bank account set up in the name of to account
for check dam set-up and ongoing maintenance costs. Finally, by process of size of farm and
subsequent use of water it is decided who shall contribute what percentage to the initial cost of the
project. ASA then apply for funding from specific bodies for the remainder of the finance required.
While ASA fieldworkers can remain to be a support mechanism if required by the village, the
emphasis continues to be concentrated upon the empowerment of groups and communities in
order that help from ASA will ultimately no longer be needed.
8
Methodology This research will rely upon the use of FGDs to collect qualitative data from farmers and encourage
further informal conversational dialogue. Due to a lack of knowledge of local language on the part of
the author, Miss Shaily Awasthy will provide translation and a record of data collected.
Photographic documentation will also provide a visual testimony of check dam projects in place,
together with the farming groups affected by implementation.
The research was conducted from 27th to 31st of July 2010. In total, four check dams were selected at
random, wherein a FGD was undertaken together with collection of photographic documentation.
9
“If good
crops
continue,
Yashpal will
go abroad
for higher
studies”
Mr Vikram Singh Mr Singh is pictured here,
among his vast soybean crop,
sixth from the left. This is the
village of Tutyakhedi, 14km from
Nagda. The village is very well
established. The surrounding
farmland is organised into larger
crops with plentiful narrow
channels of fervent new
soybean shoots. The others in
the image are farmers belonging
to the same Water User
Community, Bajrangbali.
The check dam at
Tutyakhedi was constructed
during 2007-08. The total
cost of the project was Rs.
488,530 of which the
community contributed Rs.
113,900 and ASA, Rs.
374,630.
Mr Singh told us that the dam had increased the
yield of his crops (please see the table below) which
had in turn boosted his income. He reported that he
could now afford private health care treatment for
his family. Further, Mr Singh said that he felt more
secure about his family’s future. He has high hopes
to send his one year old son, Yashpal, to study
abroad in the future should economic trends
continue as they are.
Mr Singh informed us that increased irrigation due to check dam construction had impacted strongly
upon the crop yield as can be seen in the table above. This, in turn, has impacted positively on socio-
economic factors such as health and education, as well as long-term financial security.
Before Check Dam Implementation After Check Dam Implementation
Irrigation Coverage: 15 acres Irrigation Coverage: 35 acres
Crop
Name Yield Crop
Name Yield
Soybean 5 Quintals Soybean 7.5 Quintals
Wheat 7-8 Quintals Wheat 10 Quintals
10
Mr Bhanwal Lal
Mr Lal appears here in the left of the photograph. He
lives with his wife Jasoda and their 4 young children
in the village of Banwada. Mr Lal is a part of the
Nirman Jal Upyog Samiti Water User Group.
Although he does not preside over the group he
participates in collective decision making
responsibilities and maintenance demands.
The dam was constructed in 2007-8. It cost a total of
Rs. 760,737 to build; Nirman Jal Upyog Samiti
contributed Rs. 190,184.25 and ASA supported the
project by supplying Rs. 570,552.75. It took 43 days
in total to complete.
Mr and Mrs Lal have 4 young daughters.
Joti is aged 12, Manju is 8, Komal is 5 and
Dali is aged 2. The three older girls attend
school; Dali is due to attend when she
becomes old enough. Mr Lal maintains
that the though the check dam has
improved crop productivity and impacted
on income, his children would have
attended school whether or not the dam
had been constructed.
Mr Lal added however that the extra
income generated by increased crop
productivity would support future
endeavours of his family. He explained
that the marriage of 4 daughters would
cost in the region of 20 Lakhs in total. He
is therefore very keen to begin preparing
for this and has already started to save.
“Before construction of the dam, 15
acres of land was irrigated. The dam
has increased this to 77”
11
Mr Nirbhay Ram Patidar
Mr Patidar is the Chair of the Water User
Community Group, Sunehra Kal Jai Sagas
Maharaj within the village of Kalalkhedi
Lekoda. He lives with his wife, Jasoda, in
their beautiful home at the heart of the
village overlooking well worked and
bountiful farmland. Nirbhay and Jasoda
have two older daughters, Rekha, 35, and
Mamta, 29, both of whom are married
and now live with their own families.
Mr Patidar is pictured here on the
left. The particular dam here was
constructed 2008-9. The total cost
was Rs. 958,293, of which Sunehra Kal
Jai Sagas Maharaj Water User Group
contributed Rs. 206,590 whilst ASA
supplied Rs. 751,703. It took 40 days
to complete construction. Prior to the
dam, the irrigated area measured 38
acres. This area has now increased to
52 acres following the
implementation of the dam.
Mr Patidar went on to show us another dam
with which his Water User Group had been
involved, built 2008 pictured above right. The
success of this dam had allowed for
reinvestment into the farming business for a
further check dam described above.
Furthermore, Mr Patidar is able to reinvest in
additional livestock. The wider irrigated land
has resulted in greater agricultural
production, impacting in turn upon economic
returns and the ability to reinvest for future
financial security and prosperity. Mr Patidar
told us very firmly that the dam had bought
him much happiness and joy.
“The
dam
has
bought
great
joy”
12
Mr Vinod Patidar Mr Patidar is pictured in the very
centre of this image; he is situated
amongst family members and other
residents of the Kalalkhedi Lekoda
village. A few minutes’ walk from
the village centre, the dam is
located across a broad, rich green
valley and was, at the time of
visiting, already well stocked with
water. Kalalkhedi Lekoda was in the
process of expansion, workers were
building a large structure for
agricultural purposes.
This particular check dam was constructed in 2008. Mr Patidar is
the current Chair of the Water User Community Group, named
Sunehra Kal Jai Mahakal. The total cost to build the dam was Rs.
909,224. The community contributed Rs. 235,994 toward
completion while ASA contributed Rs. 673,230. The irrigated land
before construction of the dam was 29 acres. This has now been
dramatically expanded to 43 acres.
Mr Patidar with his wife Indra has a very young family.
Their sons are Jaydeep, aged 2 years old, and Kuldip,
aged 8, and their daughter, pictured right, is Arpita,
aged 5. Mr Patidar informed us that the construction
of the dam and resulting greater irrigated land has
meant that crop production has increased, thus
heightening his income. This has allowed for Kuldip
and Arpita, and Jaydeep when older, to attend what
Vinod and Indra felt was a better quality educational
institution, an English Medium School. Furthermore,
education is passed on through Kuldip to Indra, who
was unable to attend educational establishments
during her youth.
Mr Patidar also told us that improved economic
earnings had also impacted on healthcare.
Instead of travelling to Indore, a district adjacent
to Ujjain some 170km away, the family can afford
emergency healthcare far closer to home.
“We no longer have to travel to long
distances to Indore for emergency
medical treatment”
13
Mr Vinod Patidar continued... Finally, Mr Patidar, along with his brothers and
father proudly showed us around their family
garden they had collectively been working on.
Hedges and shrubbery had been cleverly and
painstakingly manipulated into the shapes of
animals, as can be seen by the deer pictured
left. Other shapes of trains and buses bordered
the area in which the family could relax together
and have fun. The space was created for nothing
other than amusement and leisurely use.
Additionally, the family had worked on attractive
seating areas which overlooked the valley and
dam, as pictured right.
Overall, the garden seemed to symbolise a family
with time for enjoying leisure activities and
pursuits, aside from working commitments.
Conclusions All the farmers we met during this study, in villages surrounding Nagda, commented positively upon
the socio-economic impacts of check dam implementation. It is clear from narratives highlighted
through discussion that check dams have boosted crop productivity, which, as a result has led to
greater profitability and economic income.
The farmers we spoke with have expended their additional earnings in the following ways:
Improving educational opportunities
Improving provision of health care treatment
Saving for costly future endeavours
Reinvestment of income back into the farming business as safeguard for future
Additionally, we saw the opportunity for fun and enjoyment, made possible, it would seem from the
knowledge of economic security. Furthermore, it was interesting to hear how each of the informants
here considered the future. There was a sense of security, of long-term prosperity with which the
future was discussed. Whether it was in terms of considering sending a son abroad to study or
preparing well in advance for the marriage of 4 daughters, such future aspirations were deemed
achievable.
14
Bibliography
Books
Jagawat, Harnath (2005) ‘Transforming the Dry Lands: The Sadguru Story of Western India’, New
Delhi: India Research Press
Murty, J.V.S (1994) ‘Watershed Management: Second Edition’, New Delhi: New Age International (P)
Limited Publishers
Rao, K.V. Seshagiri (2000) ‘Watersheds Comprehensive Development’, Hyderabad: B.S. Publications
Reports
ASA (2008-09) ‘ASA-ITC Mission Sunehrakal Project in Ujjain District of M.P.’ Submitted for approval by ITC.
Websites
Maps of India. “Ujjain District”. 2010.
<http://www.mapsofindia.com/maps/madhyapradesh/districts/ujjain.htm> (4 Aug. 2010)