IMPACT OF IRRIGATION ON THE WELFARE OF SMALL HOLDER FARMERS of Bichari Asuwa Irrigation Sub Project Command Area, HILLY AREA

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of the BichariAsuwa
Irrigation Sub-project (BAISP) Terhathum, on the well-being of farmers
of this command area. The main aim of this irrigation project was to
provide irrigation to 50 hectares of land with main canal of 2.225 km
having discharge of 100 lps, which was not previously irrigated due
to insufficient infrastructure. This study evaluates the impact of the
project on the project area, focusing on its relevance, effectiveness,
impact, efficiency, sustainability. The study finds that the project had
a positive impact on poverty reduction, food sufficiency, reduction
of women’s drudgery in household works, gender issues, migration
control within the project area. The project also created employment
opportunities and changed the cropping pattern, resulting in increased
cropping intensities of major crops like paddy, maize, potato, pulses.
Field visits with a checklist, a questionnaire survey, key informant
interviews and Focus Group discussion were used to collect data, which
was then analyzed using the Relative Importance Index and descriptive
statistics. The analysis gives that the cropping intensity from 171 % to
240 % similarly cropping yield of paddy increased from 2.8 to 3.0 t/ha,
wheat increased from 1.8 to 2.0 t/ha, maize increased from 1.8 to 2.0
t/ha and potato increased to 13 from 11 t/ha after the intervention of
the implementation of project. The Water User Association (WUA) of
this system have responsibility of effective decision-making, conflict
resolution, working with farmers. However, due to technical and
administrative difficulties, the WUA has been unable to develop a canal
maintenance plan, raising concerns about sand and silt buildup. The main
intentions of such types of study is finding appropriateness and relevance
of the project design, planning, activities, including regularity, resource
mobilization, coordination, institutional development, strategies that
were applied Which guide for similar irrigation projects in the future.
Keywords: Irrigation, resource mobilization, Water User Association,
Relative Importance

How to cite this article:
Yadav JP, Sah KP, Karki KR. Impact of Irrigation on the Welfare of Small Holder Farmers of
Bichariasuwa Irrigation Sub Project Command Area, Hilly Area. Int J Adv Res Wtr Resrs Hydr
Engg 2023; 6(1): 1-12.