Socio-economic Performance Evaluation of Existing Underground Water Harvesting Structures in Morni Watershed, Shiwalik Foothill of Northern India
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Author: Sangeeta Kumari, Susama Sudhishri, Pramod Kumar, Man Singh, Manoj Khanna, D.K. Singh, Joydeep Mukherjee, and Vijay Kumar Prajapati
Author Address: Water Technology Centre, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa, New Delhi-110012 (India), Division of Agricultural Economics, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi-110012 (India) and Division of Agricultural Physics, ICAR-Indi
Keywords: Benefit-cost ratio, cropping intensity, livestock, sub-surface dam, underground water harvesting.
JEL Codes: Q01, Q15, Q25.
Abstract
The Shiwalik foothill region offers a significant amount of rainfall for underground water harvesting structures, and if appropriately harvested, it can reduce water scarcity. These underground water harvesting structures comprising sub-surface dams, which are effective water conservation hydraulic structures, are generally constructed across seasonal streams near agricultural areas of the Shiwalik foothills of India. This study highlighted the effectiveness and influence of existing subsurface dams in the Panchkula district of Haryana. Structured questionnaires were prepared and provided to the stakeholders to assess the impact of the water harvesting structures and the satisfaction level of the farmers. More than half of the collected underground water was used for farming. The other half was used for drinking purposes during the hot and dry Rabi season, which starts in early November. The sub-surface dam made up of concrete material has an expected lifespan of 35 years. The construction of the underground water harvesting structure led to an increase of 4 to 11 hectares in agricultural land and a significant rise in crop intensity (170–200 per cent). Crop production experienced an increase during the Rabi season. The underground water harvesting structure exhibited a financially viable operation, as viewed by the farmers.
Description
Indian J Econ Dev, 2024, 20(4), 682-691
https://doi.org/10.35716/IJED-24219