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

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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

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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!

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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

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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

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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”

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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.

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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.

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“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

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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”

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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”

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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”

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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.

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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)