SYSTEMATIC ASSESSMENT OF SYSTEMATIC ASSESSMENT OF COMMUNITY BASED GROUNDWATER COMMUNITY BASED GROUNDWATER

MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE IN MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE IN ANDHRA PRADESHANDHRA PRADESH

Study for DEPARTMENT OF IRRIGATION AND COMMAND Study for DEPARTMENT OF IRRIGATION AND COMMAND AREA DEVELOPMENT, GOVERNMENT OF ANDHRA AREA DEVELOPMENT, GOVERNMENT OF ANDHRA PRADESH / WORLD BANKPRADESH / WORLD BANKBY AFPROBY AFPRO

September – December 2006

Presentation by: Dr. N. Sai Bhaskar Reddyhttp://saibhaskar.com

Study steps A literature survey on CBGWM as it is emerging in

AP, in the context of three projects, APWELL, APFAMGS http://apfamgs.org/ and CWS http://cwsy.org/

Visits to 30 sample villages selected according to the detailed methodology provided in the ToR

A sample survey of 15 groundwater users from each of the 30 villages to obtain primary data to quantify important socio-economic parameters for the assessment of effectiveness of interventions.

Interviewing farmers and officials of various relevant departments of the GoAP

Structure of Presentation

1. Background and rationale of the study. 2. Objectives and methodology of the study. 3. Overview of the groundwater development

and management scenario in AP with special focus on the projects being studied.

4. Findings of the study according to the two main objectives and sub-objectives.

5. Summary of the findings and recommendations.

1. Background and rationale of the study.Introduction

GoAP has taken up the revival and restoration of about 3000 minor irrigation projects in the State with World Bank assistance through the SMIP.

It is proposed to include CBGWM as a sub-component of this project.

Lesson learning from APWELL, APFAMGS projects and CWS initiatives for contributing to their sustainability.

Assessment could inform the APDAI pilots on CBGW management options.

Background and Rationale of the Study A systematic assessment of CBGWM

interventions in APWELL/APFAMGS/CWS projects was to guide the GoAP on future policy, and in particular to build a stronger case for the CBGWM components to be included in SMIP and APDAI.

For this assessment a representative selection of 30 APWELL/APFAMGS/CWS villages are included to cover the range of main aquifer typologies and socio-agronomic situations.

2. Objectives and methodology of the study. OBJECTIVE - 1

Assess systematically how far the CBGWM interventions in APWELL/APFAMGS/CWS are contributing to achieving the long-term goal of sustainable and adaptive resource use.

OBJECTIVE - 2 Review the design and institutional structure of the CBGWM

interventions that have been or are being implemented in the state and assess, through parameters/approaches as quantifiable and verifiable as possible, the effectiveness of these interventions. The four dimensions for assessment of effectiveness are the following:

Relevance of communication strategy regarding realistic approaches to GW management

Community awareness and level of community mobilization achieved with regards to groundwater management issues

Community decision making and collective action achieved towards sustainable groundwater management

Improvement in income and livelihoods of the farmers involved, as a result of the above.

Project Districts

Mahabubnagar

Nalgonda

KurnoolPrakasam

CuddapahAnanthapur

Chittoor

Introduction Study area covers semi-arid / arid parts of seven

districts in AP. Geographical identities of the seven districts is :

2 – Telangana, 4 – Rayalaseema and 1 – Coastal AP

8 Villages - APWELL 6 Villages - APWELL and APFAMGS has continued its

activities 10 Villages - newly selected for APFAMGS activities 1 Village - CWS has been implementing its “Social

Regulations in Water Management” project; a second (MC Thanda) has been an APWELL-APFAMGS village

5 Control villages with substantial groundwater use but not under any groundwater management programme

Location Map of Study Areas

Study Villages# District Project

categoryVillage Mandal GW

statusGW typology

1 Anantapur APW Kalvapalli Beluguppa OE B S

2 Chittoor APW SS Puram K V B Puram OE B C

3 Chittoor APW Bandarlapalli Ramakuppam  C B S

4 Kadapa APW Mudireddypalli Mydukur OE A OE

5 Kurnool APW Uyyalawada Orvakal OE A C

6 Mahbubnagar APW Kollampally Narayanpet  SC A OE

7 Nalgonda APW Thimmaipalem Peddavoora  SAFE B SC

8 Prakasam APW Regumanupalli Peddaraveedu  OE A C

9 Kadapa APW-APF R Papireddypalli Kasinayana SC  A OE

10 Kurnool APW-APF RK Puram Allagadda OE A OE

11 Mahbubnagar APW-APF Mannanur Amrabad  SAFE A OE

12 Nalgonda APW-APF Dudiya thanda Damarcherla  SAFE B S

13 Prakasam APW-APF Thaticherla Komarolu OE A OE

14 Anantapur APW-APF-CWS M C Thanda Tanakallu SAFE A SC

15 Anantapur APF Yengilibanda Gooty OE B S

OE – Over Exploited, SC – Semi-Critical, C – Critical, S-Safe

Study Villages (cont…)# District Project

categoryVillage Mandal GW

statusGW typology

16 Chittoor APF Nariganipalli Ramasamudram OE B SC

17 Kadapa APF Siddamurthipalli Kalasapadu OE A OE

18 Kurnool APF Muthaluru Rudravaram OE A OE

19 Mahbubnagar APF Uppunuthala Uppunuthala OE A SC

20 Nalgonda APF Ramnagar Nidmanor  SAFE B S

21 Prakasam APF Vemulakota Markapur  OE A C

22 Prakasam APF Akkapalli R Racherla OE B S

23 Prakasam APF Nekunambad Bestavaripeta  OE A OE

24 Prakasam APF Chinna Kandukur Ardhaveedu OE A OE

25 Anantapur CONTROL Hampapuram Raptadu OE A OE

26 Kadapa CONTROL Buggaletipalli Kadapa OE B S

27 Kurnool CONTROL Thammarajupalli Panyam OE A C

28 Mahbubnagar CONTROL Appanapally Mahabubnagar  SC A OE

29 Nalgonda CONTROL Haliya Anumula  SAFE B S

30 Anantapur CWS Madirepally Singanamala  C B S

OE – Over Exploited, SC – Semi-Critical, C – Critical, S-Safe

Andhra Pradesh: Location of Study Areas in the Agro-climatic zones

Location Map of Study Areas in the groundwater typology

Distribution of 30 sample villages on groundwater status (2005)

Groundwater status

APWELL

APWELL+APFAMGS

APFAMGS

Control

Total

Over-exploited

5 2 9 3 19

Critical 1 0 0 1 2

Semi-Critical 1 1 0 1 3

Safe 1 3 1 1 6

TOTAL 8 6 10 6 30

Distribution of 30 sample villages on groundwater typologyGroundwater typology

APWELL

APWELL+ APFAMGS

APFAMGS

Control Total

AOE Over-exploited

2 4 4 2 12

AC Critical 2 1 1 4ASC Semi-

Critical1 1 2

AS Safe 0BOE Over-

exploited

0

BC Critical 1 1BSC Semi-

Critical1 1 2

BS Safe 2 1 3 3 9TOTAL 8 6 10 6 30

NORMAL RAINFALL PATTERN

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200Sa

dasi

vapu

ram

APW

Mut

talu

r APF

Sidd

amur

thy

Palli

APF

R.P

api R

eddy

pal

li AP

W+A

PF

R.K

.Pur

am A

PW+A

PF

Nek

unam

bad

APF

Man

nano

or A

PW+A

PF

Band

arla

palli

APW

Upp

unut

hala

APF

Tatic

herla

APW

+APF

Dud

iyat

hand

a AP

W+A

PF

Chi

nna

kand

ukur

u AP

F

Ram

naga

r APF

Bugg

alet

ipal

li C

ON

TRL

Vem

ulak

ota

APF

Mud

iredd

ypal

li AP

W

Appa

napa

lli C

ON

TRL

Reg

uman

ipal

li AP

W

Hal

ia C

ON

TRL

Nar

igan

ipal

li AP

F

Thim

mai

pale

m A

PW

Tham

mar

ajup

alli

CO

NTR

L

Akka

palli

APF

M.C

.Tha

nda

APW

+APF

+CW

S

Kolla

mpa

lli AP

W

Yeng

iliban

da A

PF

Uyy

alaw

ada

APW

Mad

iraep

alli

CW

S

Ham

papu

ram

CO

NTR

L

Kalv

apal

li AP

W

(in m

m)

The Methodology of the Study Discussions with key professionals involved in

APWELL, APFAMGS and CWS (Social Regulation) projects

Interaction with officers and consultants of the State I&CAD and the Ground Water Department both at Hyderabad and at the District level.

During the field visits the team had discussions with the staff of APFAMGS and its partner NGOs.

The Methodology of the Study Field visits - study team was divided into

groups, each comprising three professionals with varied backgrounds (social sciences, agriculture science, and natural sciences including geography, hydro geology and engineering).

Officers of the Ground Water department accompanied the team to some of the villages.

The study was done in two phases from 19 Sep to 16 Nov 2006. On an average two days were spent in each village.

Data collection The topics covered in the data collection formats included information on the following subjects covering quantitative, qualitative and descriptive aspects:

Communication and awareness strategy Community participation Water resources management Ground water management by community Watershed implementation Agriculture Women’s participation Community Based Organization (CBO) Time line analysis Individual stakeholder formats (15 nos in each village) Case studies

Data collection formats used in the study.

3. Overview of the groundwater development and management scenario in AP with special focus on the projects being studied. APSIDC A State Government undertaking existing since 1974. The objective is construction of Lift Irrigation schemes to

provide irrigation facility to the people placed in topographically disadvantageous upland areas and creation of irrigation potential through development of groundwater by constructing Borewells, Tubewells, or Infiltration wells for the benefit of small and marginal farmers, SCs and STs in upland and drought prone areas to raise their socio– economic status.

So far, APSIDC has commissioned 20,040 Ground water schemes creating an irrigation potential of 334,800 acres at a cost of Rs. 244 crores.

APWELL Project A total of 4,480 bore wells were drilled in the 7 districts (470

habitations) under the APWELL project. 3,462 were successful with yield above 1,500 gph, at

77percent success rate In the 15 APWELL villages selected for this study, 329 of the

393 wells drilled under the project were successful (84%). On an average, one well would serve a command area of

about 10 acres to irrigate the land owned by about 4 families for irrigated dry crops.

The establishment costs and part of the cost of electricity infrastructure were borne by the GoI/GoAP.

The implementation process followed by the APWELL Project The intense community organization efforts to form and

nurture Water User Groups (WUGs) Compulsory inclusion of women as members of WUGs and

forming self help groups. At the end of project implementation, the assets created were

handed over to WUGs. Thus, the project had a distinct exit policy woven into its concept.

The WUGs contributed 15% of the cost (excluding administrative charges). This ensured greater sense of ownership among the WUGs.

Every member of the WUG was given a pipe outlet on his/her land, assuring equity in water distribution and reducing water conveyance loss.

Intensive capacity building through training, exposure visits, and demonstrations assured quick adoption of sustainable water management and agricultural practices.

The main lessons from the APWELL Project may be summarised as follows: Access to water by small and marginal farmers improves their

productivity and they rise above poverty line. Enhancing productivity of land and water requires substantial

inputs in terms of financial and capacity building inputs. Participatory groundwater management is a viable concept if

introduced in conjunction with groundwater development, agricultural production, institutional development, and capacity building of farming communities.

All stakeholders and water users need to be involved in participatory groundwater management.

Government and non-government agencies need to work in collaboration for achieving sustainable results in participatory groundwater management.

Role of facilitating agencies should not stop at the end of a project. Post project support is essential for sustainability of any promising intervention.

Well trained and strongly motivated staff of government and non-government agencies working closely with farmers is necessary for the successful implementation of participatory groundwater management.

APWELL and beyond The Dutch government approved a far smaller

capacity building initiative to support farmer managed groundwater systems for implementation through a network of NGOs in the seven APWELL districts.

This was called the Andhra Pradesh Farmer Managed Groundwater Systems Project (APFAMGS), for which funding was provided directly by the Royal Netherlands Embassy (RNE) till June 2004, after which it has been transferred to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

APFAMGS Project The objectives of the APFAMGS Project are to: Create a band of skilled human resources to take up task of

groundwater management Make farmers vigilant to groundwater dynamics and consequences of

over exploitation Share concerns of farmers affected by ground water over exploitation

and ensure appropriate remedial action Extend popular concept of participatory management of water

resources to groundwater users Institutionalize community management of groundwater for dealing

with issues related to sustainable groundwater management Facilitate formation of Groundwater Management Committees (GMC)

made up of well owners to monitor groundwater levels, rainfall and discharge.

Promote Crop Water Budgeting (CWB) as a tool to empower farmers for deciding appropriate crop system matching the available groundwater.

Adopt Farmers Field School (FFS) approach for promoting eco friendly farming system

Empower community to take up appropriate initiatives in groundwater recharge measures.

Project Activities The APFAMGS Project has developed a comprehensive sequence of

activities to achieve the objectives. These are Introduction of community approaches towards observing

rainfall trends, this is done through daily rainfall measurement and recording it systematically

Monitoring of wells (yield and water levels) properly in the identified wells across the village

Crop water budgeting (CWB) promoted through water balance studies on the specific micro-watersheds

Daily Rainfall monitoring with rain gauge devices installed in Hydrological Units (HU)

Women empowerment and gender sensitization by having equal representation for women in Community Based Institutions (CBIs) and by full participation of women in all project activities

Display boards to record rainfall and water level trends in a bid to communicate among the entire village

Process documentation, Recording minutes of meetings and other organizational tasks.

Achievements of APFAMGS APFAMGS Project, now in its fourth year has already exceeded

its original targets of creating a band of 3000 men and women farmers to understand groundwater systems and 6500 farm families enabled for adoption of alternative agricultural practices suiting the availability of groundwater.

More specific achievements reported are: 6,882 men and women farmers in a position to understand

groundwater systems 7,029 farm families enabled for adoption of alternative

agricultural practices suiting the availability of groundwater 574 community based institutions established for alternative

management of groundwater resources with equal representation and participation of women and men covering 650 habitations.

Several water use efficiency initiatives like mulching, bunding, improved irrigation methods, large scale promotion of water saving devices etc. have been taken up by farmers.

IMPACTS OF THE APFAMGS PROJECT Empowerment of

community to collect, analyse and use data and knowledge related to water

Change in perception of groundwater as private property to that of a common good

Shift from cultivation of irrigated water intensive crops to less water intensive, rainfed crops

Reduced losses from irrigated crops and increased profits from rainfed or less water intensive cash crops

Reduced groundwater draft

Increased groundwater recharge

Reduced use of chemical inputs

Increased use of organic methods of farming

Reduced migration

4. Findings of the study according to the two main objectives and sub-objectives.

Sustainable and Adaptive Resource Use

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

20 years 10 years PRESENT

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

20 years 10 years PRESENT

DUGWELLS BOREWELS

Cost of Groundwater Development

Drilling cost and Installation cost (drilling + pump+ motor + pipes)

Rs. 30,000 – 80,000

Drilling cost of (successful borewell) recovery period (if on credit)

1-4 years

Drilling cost alone Rs. 10,000 – 35,000If failure recovery period for the drilling

cost (if on credit)3 – 10 yrs.

Ground Water Price Rs. 400-500 per wetting(Avg. one crop cost of irrigation Rs. 3000 – 4000 per acre for 7 to 8 wettings)

Identification of potential Drilling sites Water Diviners (90%)

Functioning of Borewells (%AGE)

seasonal

All_time

Not_Funct

AP

F

AP

W+A

PF

Con

trol

AP

W

Borewell yields and average ayacutIRRIGATED AREA IN ACRES UNDER EACH BOREWELL (30 VILL)

Avg. irrigated area under one borewell

8.06

5.36

8.4

5.44

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

APWELL APF APW+APF CONTROL

Avg

.no.

of a

cres

PHM and Crop Water Budgeting PHM and Crop Water Budgeting (CWB), introduced by the

APWELL, has been up scaled in all APFAMGS villages. Awareness on these two important concepts are being

imparted during FFS, GMC and HUN meetings. CWS initiative in MC Thanda had been through watershed

approach. It also created intensive awareness to the community on social regulations for discouraging over exploitation of groundwater resources through drilling excess no. of borewells by individuals. It has helped community to understand other sustainable cropping practices with less water for irrigation and groundwater management systems.

Problems and constraints of groundwater use

02468

10121416

Low

Rai

n fa

ll

Insuffi

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cy o

f Wat

er

Lack

of R

echa

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Stru

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es

Low

Vol

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Irregu

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imin

gs o

f Pow

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pply

BW fa

ilure

and

repa

irs

Over

Expl

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Limite

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urs o

f Pow

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uppl

y

Borewell Water Usage Problems

Perc

enta

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f Wei

ghta

ge

Problems and constraints of groundwater use

APWELL

APWELL+APFAMGS

APFAMGS

CONTROL

Lim

ited

Hou

rs o

f Pow

er S

uppl

y

Low

Vol

tage

Irreg

ular

tim

ings

of P

ower

Sup

ply

Ove

r Exp

loita

tion

Mot

ors

failu

re a

nd re

pairs

Lack

of R

echa

rge

Stru

ctur

es

Insu

ffici

ency

of W

ater

Low

Rai

n fa

ll

No. OF FARMERS PER BOREWELL – SHARING RATIO (30 VILLAGES)

Water sharing per bore well

3.57

1.59

3.66

1.95

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

3.5

4

APWELL APF APW+APF CONTROL

Avg

. no.

of f

arm

ers

Land use intensityLAND PARTICULARS

0102030405060708090

100Ak

kapa

lli-AP

FVe

mul

akot

a-AP

FNa

rigan

ipal

li-APF

Ram

naga

r-APF

Mut

talur

-APF

Neku

nam

bad-

APF

Yeng

iliban

da-A

PFSid

dam

urth

y Pal

li-APF

Chinn

a ka

nduk

uru-

APF

Uppu

ntha

la-A

PFR.

K.Pu

ram

-APW

+APF

Dudi

yath

anda

-APW

+APF

Man

nano

or-A

PW+A

PFR.

Papi

Red

dy p

alli-A

PW+A

PFTa

tiche

rla-A

PW+A

PFM

.C.Th

anda

-APW

+APF

+CW

SBa

ndar

lapa

lli-AP

WSa

dasiv

apur

am-A

PWRe

gum

anip

alli-A

PWTh

imm

aipa

lem-A

PWM

udire

ddyp

alli-A

PWUy

yala

wada

-APW

Kolla

mpa

lli-AP

WKa

lvapa

lli-AP

WTh

amm

araj

upal

li-CON

TROL

Ham

papu

ram

-CON

TROL

Halia

-CON

TROL

Bugg

alet

ipal

li-CON

TROL

Mad

iraep

alli-C

WS

Appa

napa

lli-CO

NTRO

L

FALLOW

DRYLAND

IRRIGATED

PADDY GROWN IN – KHARIF, RABI AND SUMMER %AGE.

Average coverage of paddy

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

100%

APW APW+APF+CWS APF CWS+Control

Ave

rage

Per

cent

age

Kharif Rabi Summer

Farmers not opted for PaddyFarmers Percentage not opted for Paddy

APW25%

APW+APF23%

APF38%

Control14%

CROPPING PATTERN

0102030405060708090

100

APW

(Kal

vapa

lli)AP

W(S

.S.P)

APW

(B.p

alli)

APW

(M.p

alli)

APW

(K.p

alli)

APW

(T.Pa

lem

)AP

W(U

.wad

a)AP

W(R

.Pal

li)AP

W+A

PF(Th

atic

herla

)AP

W+A

PF(M

anna

nur)

APW

+APF

(D.Th

anda

)AP

W+A

PF(R

.K.P

)AP

W+A

PF(R

.P.P

alli)

APW

+APF

(MC

tnda

)AP

F(R.

Naga

r)AP

F(M

utta

lur)

APF(

V.Ko

ta)

APF(

S.M.P

alli)

APF(

N.Pa

lli)AP

F(U.

nuth

ala)

APF(

N.ba

d)AP

F(Ak

kapa

lli)AP

F(C.

Kand

ukur

)AP

F(Y.

band

a)CO

NTRL

(A.P

alli)

CONT

RL(H

alia

)CO

NTRL

(Mad

irepa

lli)CO

NTRL

(B.P

alli)

CONT

RL(T.

Palli)

CONT

RL(H

.Pur

am)

Paddy Ground nut Sunflower Chilli Horticulture

Avg. Paddy Line

Income per acre of gross irrigated land

05000

100001500020000250003000035000

APW

ELL

APW

ELL+

APFA

MG

S

APFA

MG

S

CONT

ROL

(in R

s.)

95TH 75TH 50TH 25TH 5TH(in Percentile)

PERCENTILE APWELL APW + APF APFAMGS CONTROL95TH 21,203 20,541 22,069 28,769

75TH 10,183 11,115 13,900 15,850

50TH 6,251 6,722 8,386 9,746

25TH 3,566 3,792 3,770 3,698

5TH 246 1,578 - -

AWARENESS & COMMUNICATION TOOLS IMPACT

APWELL

APWELL + APFAMGS

(During APWELL)

APWELL + APFAMGS (Current)

APFAMGS CONTROL

Kalajatha 0.8 1.0 1.0 1.0 0.3

Meetings 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 0.3

Workshops 0.8 1.0 1.0 1.0 0.0

Wallwritings 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 0.3

Pamplets 1.0 1.0 0.7 1.0 0.2

Newsletters/Magazines 0.3 0.5 0.7 1.0 0.5

TV/Films 0.5 0.7 0.8 0.8 0.5

Radio 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.1 0.0

WallMagazines 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.0

NGO 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 0.3

AO 1.0 1.0 0.7 1.0 1.0

Anyother 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.3

Community Awareness and Institution Development

It has been observed that in APWELL villages, out of the 329 Water User Groups (WUGs), 290 WUGs are still practicing water sharing. The level of such community mobilization in groundwater management towards water sharing is 88 percent which is a sustainable impact.

Gender Equity and Women’s Participation

In the APWELL project, this has been taken up to make women farmers equal partners with male farmers in agriculture, groundwater management and allied activities.

Participation of women in BUAs was found to be about 30 percent.

Women and Men Participation in Meetings (APFAMGS)

Women & Men Participation in Meetings

0%

50%

100%Sid

dam

urth

ypal

liNe

kuna

mba

dYe

ngilib

anda

R.Pa

pire

ddyp

alli

Ram

naga

rDu

dyat

hand

aCh

ina K

andu

kur

That

icher

laM

utta

lurVe

mula

kota

Narig

anip

alli

MC

Than

daRK

Pur

am

Women

Men

Community Decision Making (APFAMGS) – Frequency of topics discussed

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14

PHMAgriculture

FFSCWB

GMC formation(EC)Project objectives

visitsothers

HUNGrama sabha

News letter/magazinesDrinking water-flouride problem

HorticultureCropping pattern

VolunteersBase documentation

Role clarificationsoil moisture conservation

CSODrainage

PRM

TOTAL LAND VALUE / AGRICULTURE INCOME RATIO

0.00

1.00

2.00

3.00

4.00

5.00

6.00

7.00

8.00

9.00

10.00

APWELL APW+APF APW+APF+CWS APF CWS CONT

Ratio of total land value to Agriculture income

TOTAL INCOME PER ANNUM / DEBT (CUMULATIVE) RATIO

0.00

0.50

1.00

1.50

2.00

2.50

3.00

3.50

4.00

APWELL APW+APF APW+APF+CWS APF CWS CONT

Ratio (Indebtedness-income/debt)

TOTAL ASSET VALUE / DEBT (CUMULATIVE) RATIO

0.0

5.0

10.0

15.0

20.0

25.0

30.0

35.0

APWELL APW+APF APW+APF+CWS APF CWS CONT

Ratio (Indebtedness-Asset value/debt)

Overall impact of the project interventions

Enhancement of naturalresources

sustainableuseofnatural resorcesUnderstanding on groundwater resources

Equitabl esharing of waterresource

Empowerment of women

Cropping pattern

Children Attending Schools

Increased wellbeing

IncomeReduced Poverty

AP

W

AP

W+A

PF

AP

F

Con

trol

Lessons from CBGWM Experiences in AP Enabling Strategies

Convergence of social and technical elements in the delivery process dominated the APWELL strategy of programme implementation.

An organizational development process was involved based on the strategy that small and marginal farmers may access the high cost irrigation systems that are being created.

Lessons from CBGWM Experiences in AP Enabling Strategies

Hence WUGs, SHGs and BUAs were formed aiming to offer sustainability to social and technical aspects including operation and maintenance of groundwater irrigation systems by the farmers themselves.

The APWELL approach, viewed from the present context, appears transitional. Unambiguously it had created a strong ground for the APFAMGS interventions that followed.

Groundwater Sharing APWELL Project, through the strategy of

providing group irrigation systems to small and marginal farmers provided access to the economically weaker sections to their share of the precious groundwater resource in a hydrological unit.

Groundwater Sharing The sample survey of 15 APWELL villages found

that about 88 percent of the wells were still functional and water was being shared among the members.

Water sharing for irrigation is a common practice in AP in areas and times of scarcity. There is scope for institutionalizing this arrangement and enhancing water productivity by providing incentives such as providing co-finance for distribution systems to reduce conveyance losses.

The provision of free power by the AP government could be linked to encouraging water sharing.

Involvement of NGOs The process of involving NGOs worked well

in mobilizing appropriate human resources to facilitate community mobilization in a positive way in the APWELL project. The same strategy is followed in the APFAMGS project with greater role for partner NGOs.

The institutional sustainability of groundwater management institutions is being linked to the continuing influence of local NGOs. The Hydrological Unit Networks (HUN) are proposed to be registered as Societies under the Societies Registration Act. Thus HUNs themselves become NGOs.

Elements of Communication The communication elements used in the

APWELL and APFAMGS Projects are: Farmers gaining adequate knowledge on the

system of groundwater resources -– rainfall, ponds, wells, springs, soil moisture, humidity and their cyclic dynamics.

All relevant matters pertaining to ground water technology. The technology delivery of the irrigation system installation at the farmers’ land, its quality and the quality of its eventual operation and maintenance.

Elements of Communication

Matters related to organizational development that includes building of institutions at the user’s level for the beneficial sustained use of the water assets.

The important communication strategies adopted by the APWELL, APFAMGS, CWS projects are contact, demonstration, outsourcing and convergence.

Contact strategy The user is in direct contact of the resource persons provided

by the NGOs as are seen in the APFAMGS project area. The resource teams comprise multidisciplinary professionals.

The entire process of knowledge building at the groundwater users’ level started meaningfully during APWELL interventions. Initially the knowledge building was in the form of knowing about the processes involved in well drilling, pumps installation, and operation and maintenance.

It is now penetrating deeper into the areas of change in water levels with time and volume of irrigation, crop-water relationship and its application in making crop

choices, the mechanism of groundwater recharge and its relationship with

rainfall

Demonstration Effects

The processes that are in place in the APFAMGS project are registering in the mind when people are actually writing the results of rainfall and water level monitoring on display boards.

To demonstrate crop-water budgeting are having lasting effect on the user.

Outsourcing

The strategy of outsourcing professional activities to the NGOs too has its positive effects on the quality of interventions. First of all, it has provided adequate and, by and large, quality manpower to do the job.

The activities are carried out in a desirable multidisciplinary environment through a mode, which is comfortable and acceptable to the community.

Convergence The villages where all the three interventions have

converged (Village MC Thanda, District Anantapur) gives the impression that the community mobilization factor has reached a visible level of success.

The villages where APWELL interventions preceded APFAMGS, the community is still quite motivated, while it is not very distinct in the villages where APWELL was the only factor.

In APFAMGS villages the process of learning is showing up in the GMC and HUN meetings in the form of a knowledge synergy where the process of learning from each other has taken root.

Water Rights Issue People may, with the level of understanding that

has developed in the coverage areas of APWELL/APFAMGS and CWS while understanding the limitations of the system of groundwater and that of the water resources as a whole may also develop the insight on sharing as a matter of right.

In APFAMGS villages there are strong indications that farmers with large land holdings are taking interest in WUA and a good number of them are the members of GMC and HUN. This could be beneficial provided the interests of all the stakeholders including marginal and small farmers, the landless, and the women are taken into account.

Water Rights Issue Diversity in socio-economic conditions of

any habitation and overall social behavior that includes farming and non-farming households, land owners and the landless, different segments of water users, use pattern of domestic and irrigation water users adds a dimension of its own to the issue of CBGWM.

5. Summary of the findings and recommendations. Recommendations for community based water management Groundwater - Surface Water integration towards IWRM The approach taken by APWELL, APFAMGS and CWS

to create CBGWM in the villages visited, the efforts are dedicated to groundwater use alone. There is a visible gap in the direction of integrated water resources management taking advantage by relating available surface water facilities with that of created groundwater facilities together with soil-moisture conditions.

The proposed APCBTMP provides an excellent opportunity to fill this gap and work towards IWRM in a basin context, especially with the integration of groundwater management in the tank influence zone.

Water balance issue During the Rabi season it is expected that both type

of irrigation practices will be active due to the recharge mechanism that is active in the tank influence areas. When such a situation occurs, conflict between the groundwater users and tank users is likely unless social regulations are in practice.

The potential conflict may motivate all the water users to work together under a single CBO that determines the water shares in the village. It may also steer the ground mechanism towards the issues of crop water balance.

APCBTM Project is an ideal vehicle for introducing the concept of participatory groundwater management in tank influence areas.

Replicable elements of the approach Both APWELL and APFAMGS are extraneous, though

APFAMGS may appear more intensive and detailed in its current form and status. But APFAMGS has the advantage of having the APWELL’s experience of eight years and most of its groundwater systems are functional.

The village communities, were offered intensive training and information relation to both rainfall and actual irrigation water in quantitative terms.

Replicable elements of the approach Each of the APFAMGS local extension units cover

70-85 villages of a single cluster of watersheds or in two or three identified watersheds that are nearby. Each of the professional units of the network of NGOs providing the manpower resources working under the leadership of BIRDS has 10-13 staff members.

Will the GoAP consider entering into the same level of investments, infrastructural network, professional resource mobilisation, technological and professional multiplicity and involved methodologies?

Rainfall pattern + Soil moisture

+ Irrigation (Dug wells and ponds)+ Dryland crops with shift in choices

+ Water availability - > Cropping pattern

Domestic waterLess dependence on

Government for water / weather issues

TRADITIONAL COMMUNITY KNOWLEDGE

Rainfall Erratic, yet coping mechanisms at work

Ground Water Trends as observed from dug wells and tanks Household area

Community area

Tank management by community

Drinking water

S

usta

inab

ility

OBSERVATIONS

COMMUNITY KNOWLEDGE WITH EXTERNAL FACTORS

Rainfall – erratic with damaged coping mechanisms

Ground Water Trends not easily known from borewells

Wider Choice of CropsSupport for Subsidies – seed, fertilizers

Electricity connectionCheaper Ground water technology

Rich RicherPoor Poorer

More water for land with money

Household area

Community area

Tanks Dry or tending dry

With land and money - increased water availability

External Factor

S

usta

inab

ility

OBSERVATIONS

Farmers Committing

Suicide (reduced in the

recent past)

Rainfall pattern + Soil moisture

+ Water availability - > Cropping pattern

Water Resources enhancement through convergence of schemes

Community Organization and Institution building

Addressing GenderSF & MF Priority

Rainfall -> Measurement

Ground Water Trends observed from Borewells HH area

Community area

COMMUNITY KNOWLEDGE DEVELOPED THROUGH INTERVENTIONSOBSERVATIONS

Land PatternGeology / Soils /

Moisture / Water / Rainfall / Climate

Cropping PatternLand use -

Village level KnowledgeSocial fabric and strength

Self-reliant Skills,AgricultureHorticulture

Livestock culture

Macro and Micro – Policy matters,

Democratic strength,Financial,

micro-finance traditions,Infrastructural,

Institutional

SUSTAINABILE ASPECTS OF APWELL / APFAMGS PROJECT

FAC

TOR

S

NATURAL / ENVIRONMENTAL HUMAN / SOCIAL FINANCIAL / PHYSICAL

Findings of the studyFindings of the study

May 2, 2023

Financial Matters

Professional support from line departments

Technical Matters

Village LevelCOMMUNITY BASED

WATER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

RecognizedThrough a properLegal instrument

By the GP

Professional support from open market

PRI

CSOs

Line Department

s

Managerial matters

MONITORING

Institutional Option(The CBO can be linked with standing govt. institutions)

MAIN

POLICIES[APWALTA]

Autonomous: Autonomous: Within the framed legal Within the framed legal status at village level status at village level Local decisions on Local decisions on 1. Operational Issues 1. Operational Issues 2. Maintenance 2. Maintenance 3. Framing rules for water 3. Framing rules for water distribution (sharing)distribution (sharing)

Utilization of NGO Manpower

NGOs have the necessary attitude and the manpower pool for community mobilization to ensure community involvement in development projects. It should also be implied while considering NGO inputs are external. There has to be an exit policy specified while initiating the move to engage NGOs at the user community level actions.

Summary of findings and recommendations Communication strategies and tools

Kalajatha is found to be an effective communication medium in rural areas. This communication tool provides awareness with more clarity and is understandable by the entire community.

Meetings play an important role in gathering the community for resolving issues and problems in a participatory manner for suitable and sustainable solutions. Once such resolutions and strategies are evolved, decision making, implementation and the follow up is effective.

Communication strategies and tools

Workshops are another mechanism for smooth implementation of the projects in discussion and to review the progress of the project and for chalking out future strategies. Well organised workshops with proper documentation are vital for effective project management.

Communication strategies and tools Wall writings and display boards: The viewer

response to these boards is excellent. They became places where farmers and others occasionally gather and discuss various groundwater related issues. This tool has continuous awareness impact.

Pamphlets: The main contents in the pamphlet “Neelamuchchata” (APFAMGS) covered issues of social regulations and case studies about water sharing, water equity, types of sustainable crops and case studies in the local dialect, it is found to be very effective at individual and grass root level.

Communication strategies and tools Newsletters, Magazines and Manuals are found to

be very effective. Projects on natural resource management and sustainable agriculture practices need to publish such type of newsletters/magazines/manuals regularly throughout the project period to keep the farmers knowledge abreast on the on going interventions in order to take suitable measures.

TV/Radio/Films: This tool has wider impact across the community with visual interpretation and immediate. As an effective and efficient communication tool this is good for the farmers. This can be adopted in villages for wider dissemination of relevant information.

Institutional aspects

NGOs play a very important and crucial role of coordination with the donor and project partners., receiving funds from donor and distributing to the partners, reporting to the donor, reviewing the progress made by the PNGOs, Preparation of annual plans and budget, conducting internal auditing and overall monitoring and evaluation of the project.

Agriculture Officers have an important role and their services are utilized for the training, capacity building and streamline the subsidies for the agricultural activities.

Capacity building for participatory groundwater management

Synergy of projects: When there are more than two programmes under implementation, the dissemination of information has got additional impact if efforts are coordinated and supplemented.

Institutional set up of GMC and HUN: The BUAs set up under APWELL are hardly functional as they were merged into GMCs or Rythu Mitra Groups. The present institutional arrangement of GMC and HUN followed by APFAMGS does not include all groundwater users. The PHM effort tends to remain voluntary and staff driven. The sustainability of institutional arrangement proposed for PGM needs to be studied more carefully.

Capacity building for participatory groundwater management

Community awareness and level of mobilization have got the impact towards the groundwater management systems. These awareness and mobilization activities should be carried out with the updated social and technical issues.

Communication tools, community awareness and situation specific issues make the community for effective decision making. A sustainable solution and makes the community to feel ownership. It resolves but also makes the community to sustain the assets created and also binds towards the resolution, norms and procedures that are being adopted.

Capacity building for participatory groundwater management

Community decision outcomes: Some of the key community decision outcomes are resolution towards water sharing, timing and pumping operation of the pumps and maintenance of the log books towards the water sharing. This impact has been observed through their confidence, articulation, economic independence, mobility recognition and self esteem.

Sustaining impacts Community decision impact: The decision making

concepts will result in awareness towards the technical and social issues, development of knowledge and skills, ownership feeling and maintenance and managements of the assets and resources that are created. This decision making impact can be seen among the community towards confidence, articulation, economic independence, mobility, recognition and self esteem.

Impact on livelihoods: Improvement in income and livelihoods, community mobilization, gender integration and the development of community based organizations are key areas focused for the improvement in the income and livelihoods of the community.

Sustaining impacts

Gender equity concerns: There is good participation of women.

Involvement of women in different activities helps in mobilization and participation and also increases their level of awareness and leadership qualities. Scaling up of women participation through federations (like SHGs, WUGs and BUAs) in technical and social issues needs to be continued for the overall development.