K S Ramachandra, Member and Technical Expert, NRAA for their valuable input and input at every stage of the study. PROJECT COST (NEW DUG WELLS/EXPIRE WELLS, RENOVATION/DEEPENING OF DUG WELLS, DUG WELL . FILLING) 73.
List of Abbreviation
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Backgrounder to the study
Conception of the package especially drought mitigation strategies
Watershed management activities on cultivated land would improve the moisture regime by about 4 lakh ha in MP and 7 lakh ha in UP, accounting for 22% and 38% of the net sown area in the respective states. After the completion of all the projects and good maintenance of the assets, the package would transform the livelihood of the people in the region.
Implementation of the package
Overall, the package, if fully implemented, would result in an increase in irrigated area in the region by 4.23 lakh ha; 2.15 lakh ha in MP and 2.08 lakh ha in UP. Irrigation coverage of net sown area would increase from 45-46% to 56% in both states and the region.
Surface Irrigation Projects
Based on field research, the main reason for delays in the completion of the projects was due to land acquisition in MP. Since most of the projects are renovation/modernization/lining projects of existing canals/water bodies, UP has not encountered any land acquisition issues.
Dug wells (new / deepening / recharge) and distribution of HDPE pipes in UP A total of Rs 400 crore constituting 24% of the ACA allocations was earmarked for. An allocation of Rs 80 crore, constituting 4% of the ACA allocations to MP, was made under the dug well energization package (constructed under MNREGA).
Stop Dams in Madhya Pradesh
In this, 76 crore rupees were released and 60 crore rupees were spent.
Animal Husbandry Sector
Thus, the selection of beneficiaries has been rigorous in MP, which may be one of the reasons for not achieving the objectives. All the three targeted fodder banks in MP have been completed and operations have also started.
Dairy Sector
At the same time, this contribution ensured that the animals were properly maintained in MP. A total of 230 centers have been set up in 13 districts of Bundelkhand region under the package.
Agricultural Market Yard and Godowns projects
Similarly, 96% of the target goats were distributed in Uttar Pradesh while 65% were distributed in Madhya Pradesh. Beneficiaries must pay a contribution of 20-25% of the cost of the animal as a margin in MP.
Rural Drinking Water projects
It was observed that 70% of the sanctioned projects in the first phase of the package were completed in Madhya Pradesh. In UP, the state was able to achieve 100% of the targets for installation of hand pumps, while the few drinking water schemes recorded slow progress.
Funds Flow and Convergence
The slow release of funds from MNREGA has affected the smooth running of activities to some extent. At the same time in MoI the inclusion of MNREGA resources does not seem to have affected the progress of the implementation of the Kapildhara energization program according to which the wells were built.
Monitoring the implementation of the package
Further MNREGA works are usually unskilled, while most of the activities envisaged involve skilled labour. The Delhi Advisory Committee is the overall authority to set the parameters of the package and to make changes in any of the parameters during the course of implementation of the package.
Overall assessment in terms of impact
Construction of stop dams in MP led to an increase in storage capacity to 216% of pre-project storage capacity. In UP, only a few of the projects have been completed and none of them are working.
Suggestions and recommendations
Planning of the package
Revisiting projects involving support for individuals
Specific activities that may be precluded in the package
Post-harvest infrastructure to be planned with a lag
Moreover, the attention of the funding agency is also diluted from the drought mitigation activities. It is therefore suggested that post-harvest infrastructure could be funded with a delay, perhaps with a built-in second phase in the package.
Convergence a hindrance to implementation?
Provision of budget for post package maintenance
All market yard projects and core rural infrastructure projects in UP are ongoing and yet to be completed; administrative delays in deciding the location of the projects, delays in land acquisition are seen as the main reasons. All ground water irrigation projects in UP which support individual farmers have been found to be suffering from delays in completion due to convergence of MNREGA projects and ACA funds to implement the activity.
Monitoring of the package
Several small, medium and large surface irrigation projects in UP have suffered delays, contractors have not fulfilled their commitments, very limited work period available for renovating water bodies due to continuous water release in canals etc. , as well as issues with the release of MNREGA funds. In general, in both countries, poor response to the tendering process resulted in retendering; apart from the open tender in the initial stages in UP has resulted in further delays in processing.
Structured Meetings of Advisory Body
Since MNREGA funds are to be released by the district administration, effective coordination needs to be ensured between the implementing departments and the administration from the higher decision-making authorities in the states. The recommendations for better implementation of activities under different sectors are presented in the respective chapters.
Structured Meetings with state level implementing departments
Reporting system to NRAA
Concurrent / Midterm monitoring mechanism by third parties
Introduction
Bundelkhand Region
Highly feudalistic society led to the exploitation of the limited natural resources available in the area by a few. The recurring drought has adversely affected the socio-economic conditions in the region and affected the standard of living of the people in the area.
Bundelkhand Package
All these districts in the region lag behind the rest of UP and the MP in many socio-economic indicators such as; literacy rate, health indicators and overall human development index. Although the region has a natural basin, it is divided between the two states of MP and UP.
Sectors of Focus
Sectoral Allocation of ACA Funds in Bundelkhand Region
Releases and Expenditure under ACA Allocation
Rationale, Scope and ToR for the Study
Approach, Methodology, Sampling and Research Tools
Approach
Individual household surveys were conducted to estimate the impact of intervention on the livelihood of the beneficiaries of the project catchment villages of irrigation projects, dug wells/pump set/HDPE pipe schemes, goat and buffalo bull beneficiaries. The secondary information was collected from the National Rainfed Area Authority (NRAA), line departments of 13 districts and official websites of each district on requirements.
Sample
02 AI centers from each district of Bundelkhand region were randomly selected after receiving the list from BAIF. The farming households covered by the project catchments of large, medium and small irrigation projects were randomly selected for sample survey.
Sample Distribution
सिंचाई परियोजनाएँ 11 झाँसी, जालौन, हमीरपुर, बांदा और चित्रकूट नए खोदे गए कुएँ 100 झाँसी, ललितपुर, चित्रकूट और महोबा खोदे गए कुओं को गहरा करना 60 झाँसी, ललितपुर, चित्रकूट और महोबा। 870 सभी 17 प्रमुख/मध्यम/लघु सिंचाई योजनाओं (झांसी, जालौन, ललितपुर, चिरकूट, बांदा, महोबा और हमीरपुर) को कवर करता है।
Research Tools
Water Resources Sector – Surface Water Irrigation
The Allocations and Financial Achievements
Against the above allocations, the exemptions so far and the expenditure incurred by the respective states are given in Table 8. The expenditure incurred under individual beneficiary oriented groundwater development projects was about three quarters of the releases which was lower than the 92% expenditure. achieved under departmentally implemented surface irrigation projects.
Brief Outline of Surface Irrigation Projects
As high as 90% of the total allocation in MP was for the creation of additional irrigated area while in UP, a larger share was allocated to the restoration of water bodies (71%) indicating the restoration of lost irrigation capacity. This highlights the need for proper maintenance of the created irrigation potential through adequate budgetary support.
Over all Physical progress
Additional Irrigation Capacity Created
LINING OF LOWER RAJGHAT CANAL UNDERTAKEN IN BSP
Major Observations during field visits: Madhya Pradesh
Physical Progress of Sample Projects Rajghat CAD Project
Based on the site inspection of head middle and tail reach of Datia Irrigation Canal (DIC) and discussion with WRDs and WUAS, it is observed that works of strengthening of canal bank in selected regions and repair of various structures on the canal in selected regions are significantly under progress and must be completed.
Beriyarpur Left Bank Canal Project
It is one of the medium irrigation projects with a 23 km long main canal and 127 km length of branches and networks. While the main canal is more or less constructed, about 20-30% of the remaining works have been completed.
Urmil Right Bank Canal
Rangawan Canal Project
Minor Irrigation Schemes
The approved project costs and expenses incurred along with the status of project implementation in respect of the above 24 projects are given in Table 14. While the expenses incurred totaled 89% of the total costs of the selected projects, it is noted that several projects were completed at less than the approved project cost, while three projects experienced cost overruns.
Irrigation Potential of Sample Projects (Madhya Pradesh)
The results are very encouraging for examples of small irrigation schemes where CCA, irrigation potential and rabi irrigated area have increased by more than 200%. Overall, the completion of ongoing and new minor irrigation schemes, due to the construction of additional irrigation infrastructure, has resulted in an increase in rabi area by more than 200%.
Impact of the Irrigation Projects on the Farmers
Changes in cropping pattern
Increase in Productivity and Farm Income
Adoption of HYV/improved varieties of seeds with appropriate package of practices. However, the productivity of lentils has decreased, which shows that farmers are not interested in this crop.
Major Observations from Field Visits: Uttar Pradesh
Physical progress of sample projects
Despite no obstacles in land acquisition, delays were observed in the completion of the projects, as shown in the following table. The costs of the sample projects and the expenses incurred for each project are shown in Table 21.
Irrigation Potential of Sample Projects (Uttar Pradesh)
Changes in Cropping Pattern
Adoption of HYV / improved seed varieties with appropriate package of practices As a result, the average farm income per household increased from Rs 44717 in the pre-project period to Rs 60203 in 2012-13.
Likely macro impact of surface irrigation projects
Watershed Management
Activities in Uttar Pradesh
New Dug wells, Dug well renovation, Recharge and HDPE Pipe
Physical and Financial Progress Physical Progress
Under Renovation/Deepening of dug wells and blast wells, the progress is far from satisfactory as only 13% of the targeted deepening has taken place. Neither the farmer nor the department officials are convinced of the usefulness of the open well recharge pit.
Financial Progress
Also it is not possible to keep the catchment area clean and therefore the dirty and muddy water is discharged into the well (if there is any leakage from the fill pit to dig the well) which also pollutes the well water. Project cost (New dug wells/Blast wells, Renovation/Deepening of dug wells, Recharging of dug wells).
Cost of the Project (New Dug Wells/ Blast Wells, Renovation/Deepening of Dug Wells, Dug Well Recharge)
Impact of the Dug Wells Scheme in Uttar Pradesh Socio Economic Profile of Sample Respondents
The average family size appears to be on the high side at 7.67, with the highest estimates for Chitrakoot (9.8). Most of the dug well and dug well recharge beneficiaries were small (51%) and marginal (47%).
Increase in Irrigated Area- District wise
Cropping Pattern over the year in Kharif Season
Cropping Pattern over year in Rabi Season
Change in Productivity of Kharif Crop (Kg/Acre)
The change in productivity of cultivated crops as reported by sample farmers is shown in Table 38 below. As such, there is no increase in cropping intensity among the sample beneficiaries, while a marginal increase of 8% points is observed.
Deepening of Dug Wells
Among the four districts where the new borewell schemes have been implemented, the farmers of Chitrakoot district have performed relatively better than other farmers in the district, despite the overall progress in achieving the physical targets of borewells being the lowest among the four districts .
Impact of Deepening of Dug Wells on Ground Water Level
The average water column during mid-June, as reported by the sample farmers before the well was deepened, was 0.86 meters. The average water column during mid-June after deepening the well is reported to be 5.44 meters.
Income from Agriculture
During the rabi period, the average water column in mid-November before was reported to be 3.4 meters, which improved to 7.05 meters. The land that was irrigated to the extent of 40 hectares, out of the net cultivable area 126 hectares before deepening, all the land is now irrigated, due to improved water availability.
HDPE Pipe Distribution
Summing Up
Activities in Madhya Pradesh
Energization of Kapildhara Wells through Pump Set The Physical and Financial Achievements
Major Observations from Field Visits
The rapid impact evaluation of pump kits in this study was done using datasets collected from 5 districts covering 85 sample beneficiaries benefiting from the scheme. The socio-economic characteristics of respondents of pump set beneficiaries are given in Table 42.
Characteristic of Wells & Water Availability during Different Seasons
Impact of Energization of Dug Wells
The area under cultivation during the Kharif cropping season remains almost uniform with very marginal changes as shown in the table above. In particular, as the sample data shows, the area under wheat production has increased by 87% due to the availability of assured irrigation.
Summing up
The projects under this sector are intended to improve the irrigation facilities and the water tables in the groundwater structures. Against the above allocations, the exemptions so far and the expenditure incurred by the respective states are given in Table 46.
Overall Physical Progress
All the projects were implemented in state land; there was therefore no problem in acquiring the land for the construction of the stop dams. The cost of the project varied from a minimum of Rs 19.90 lakh to a maximum of Rs 85 lakh depending on the number of stop dams constructed under each project and the corresponding physical dimensions.
Impact of Stop Dams
Agriculture Markets
Financial Allocations and Progress
In contrast to the above allocations, the releases so far and the expenditures made by the respective states are given in table 52. Less than 50% release for the UP was due to significant delays in starting the implementation of the projects by the respective departments.
Physical Progress
The physical progress has been quite satisfactory compared to the progress in UP where only a few of the projects have been completed and none of them are functioning. Deadlines were missed by most of the contractors to whom the work was awarded through an open tender process.
Sample Visit & Major Observations during field visits: Madhya Pradesh
A considerable delay in the construction work was observed in all the districts of Uttar Pradesh.
Sample Visit & Major Observations during field visits: Uttar Pradesh
It was established that there is no adequate coordination and understanding between the interested parties regarding the use of the infrastructure being established in the RIN. Considerable stagnation in the progress of construction works was observed in all districts of UP.
Impact of Market Yards and Godowns projects
In Uttar Pradesh, RIN is likely to minimize both transportation costs and time for farmers. RIN is yet another excellent initiative for availability of required inputs to the farmers through a single window.
Recommendation
Animal Husbandry
The Allocation and Financial Achievements
Brief Outline of Animal Husbandry Projects
All AI centers to be run by BAIF have been set up covering all districts falling under Bundelkhand region. A room and a meeting hall were proposed to be built by the package in all veterinary hospitals in all UP districts.
Distribution of Goat Units
From the surveyed sample in MP, it was found that all the beneficiaries had goat units as specified by the department and responded positively in terms of livelihood impact. In Madhya Pradesh, it was found from the surveyed sample that on the day of the visit, the total number of animals increased during this period.
Performance of Breed Improvement Activities
The age of the goats at the time of distribution, as reported by the beneficiaries, varies between 01 and 1.5 years. The units given to the sample beneficiaries were said to have produced 198 kids, and 130 goats were sold by the sample beneficiaries.
Major Observations during field visits: Uttar Pradesh
Dairy Development
The dairy activities initiated under phase I of the package were extensively visited in the districts of both the states.
Allocation to
Brief Outline of Dairy Projects
Realization of the price from the sale of milk to cooperatives is not at the desired level. The dairy sector in Madhya Pradesh has shown impressive progress since the package was launched.
Recommendation/ Suggestion
Forest & Environment
Bundelkhand being a draft-affected region, soil erosion and aridity are the key features of the forest land in the Bundelkhand region. The objective was to include 60,000 hectares of forest area in UP and 2 lakh hectares of forest area in MP for integrated conservation and management.
Henceforth, to revive the land under forest, it was decided to allocate Rs 314 crore under the Forest and Environment package.
Convergence of Funds in Forest and Environment Activities
Madhya Pradesh
The Forest Department in the Bundelkhand region has undertaken many activities to restore the lost soil moisture and improve the soil. In the case of Uttar Pradesh, the department officials announced that 100% of the work has been done by the forest department.
Sample Visit & Major Observations from Field Visits: Madhya Pradesh
Sample Visit & Major Observations from field visits: Uttar Pradesh
The constructed check dams are in ideal locations with the expected level of water retention and overflow during the rainy season. Pond dredging work done in UP has resulted in a higher level of water supplies and the beneficiary is engaged in seasonal fishing activity.
Impact of the Project
Rural Drinking Water
The region of Bundelkhand is vast and complex in terms of both geographical and economic, social and political aspects. In light of the previous statement, the issues of clean drinking water supply are important.
Financial Allocations and Financial Achievements
Sagar district received the maximum funds for the creation of the declared infrastructure, while Datia received the least. Jhansi district received the maximum amount of funds for the creation of the declared infrastructure, while Hamirpuri received the least amount.
Sample Visit & Major Observations from Field Visits: Uttar Pradesh
As part of the evaluation survey, 10 out of 904 completed projects implemented under the package in MP were visited. Schemes implemented under the project were supply driven rather than based on demand from the local villagers.
Impact of the project on lives of the beneficiaries
District Installation of Hand Pumps Pipeline Drinking Water Schedule Total Completed Sample Total Completed Sample. It was noted that in many cases hand pumps were used as private property rather than as a public utility.
Impact in Madhya Pradesh-
In the case of Hamirpur, hand pumps installed as per the department's notifications were actually missing at the field level in few of the cases verified. During the evaluation, it was observed that due to high density of hand pumps in the area, villagers refrained from using them.
Impact in Uttar Pradesh-
Relevance/ Acceptance of Different Intervention Made under the Package as Medium
Long Term Strategies for Drought Mitigation
Rainfall Situation and irrigation coverage in Bundelkhand
However, the continuous shortage of rainfall for 4 years prior to the formulation of the package affected the region's drought. It is this drought situation that has prompted the need for the implementation of a drought mitigation package in the Bundelkhand region.
Medium and Long Term Strategies for Drought Mitigation
Focus of the Package
Likely Physical Impact of the Package on Drought Mitigation
Convergence in the Package
Level and extent of convergence of various CS/CSS schemes, MGNREGA in different components and their impact on overall progress of the
Monitoring of the Package
Review meeting with Planning Secretary and Senior Officials of the State Government by NRAA CEO. At the state level, the state governments are required to monitor the projects as per their internal guidelines and NRAA has not prescribed any structured monitoring of the projects implemented by the state departments.
Visit of NRAA officials
The visits of both technical team and CEO of NRAA to UP during 2013-14 were perhaps necessary to ensure speedy completion of projects which were largely backlogged in the state.
Review Meetings with Principal Secretaries and Senior Government officials of the Implementing departments
Advisory Meetings at Delhi
Recommendation and Suggestions
Planning and implementation deficiencies and suggestions
Delays in implementation of the projects
This is pronounced in dug wells and RRR projects of water bodies, where part of the work is financed by ACA and the rest by MNREGA. Therefore, the progress of the package needs to be reviewed by an umbrella body that includes the NRAA and the various ministries whose funds are to be involved.
Post harvest getting equal focus as drought mitigation
Absence of structured monitoring mechanism of the package
Absence of structured review by Advisory Body
Inadequate reporting system to NRAA
Absence of concurrent / midterm monitoring and evaluation mechanism by third parties
Annexure Tools Used during the Study
Year from which project benefits accruing to the farmer (please tick)
CARE: The year in which project benefits accrue to the farmer will be the "project year" for the beneficiary, and project benefits to be collected from that year to 2012-13 and prior project information to be collected for three years prior to "project year".
Land holding including owned land / leased in / acquired through mortgage minus leased out / given under mortgage (in acres)
Cropping pattern (acres)
Seed replacement rate (Area to be given in acre)
Number of irrigations provided for each irrigated crop Name of the
Please indicate the reasons for increase / decrease in migration status
Overall observation/feedback and free comments of surveyor
Year in which deepening was undertaken: _______________
How was the deepening done? Through blasting/ other methods (Specify)
Physical dimensions
Cost of the works and sources of funds
Cost of Work Amount (Rs) (a) Cost of deepening
Source of funds
- Impact of implementation of Deepening on water levels
- How successful is the deepening of well
- Year in which the well was constructed: ____________
- Physical dimensions Diameter of the well (in meters)
- Cost of the works and sources of funds
CARE: The year in which the activity was undertaken becomes the “project year” for the beneficiary and project benefits must be recorded from that year through 2012-2013 and pre-project data must be collected for three years prior to the “project year”. Physical dimensions Diameter of the pit (in meters) : Diameter of the pit (in meters) : Depth of the pit (in meters) : Type of pump set : Diesel / Electric.
Source of funds (a) MNREGA
- Impact of implementation on water levels
- Cropping pattern (acres) Crop /
- Number of irrigations provided for each irrigated crop Name of the
- Production (in kg) Crop /
- Annual household income (Rs )
- Implementing department
- Physical Works taken up/carried out (To be identified by the Surveyor)
- Status of completion of the project (please attach photos)
- Cost of project (cost of land if acquired may also be included) Rs lakh
- Sources of funding (Rs lakh)
- Impact
- Location and address : 3. Implementing department
- Physical Works taken up/carried out (To be identified by the Surveyor)
- Status of completion of the project (please attach photos)
- Cost of project (cost of land if acquired may also be included) Rs lakh
- Sources of funding (Rs lakh)
- Impact
- Year in which the wells were constructed: ____________
- Year in which the pumpset was installed: _____________
- Well constructed through: MGNREGA/ Other schemes (spcify)________________
- Physical dimensions Diameter of the well (in meters)
- Impact of implementation of the works on water levels
- Cropping pattern (acres) Crop /
- Number of irrigations provided for each irrigated crop Name of the
- Production (in kg) Crop /
- Annual household income (Rs ) Sl
- Days of employment (number of days) Particulars No. of
- Migration status Sl
- Did the scheme convergence with MGNREGA brought any benefits to the farmer?
- Please indicate the reasons for increase / decrease in migration status
- Name of the project
- Important dates
- Status of completion of the project (please attach photos) Type of infrastructure Physical quantity Stage of
Farmers' views about the facilities created under the Bundelkhand package can be sought through FGD. Physical dimensions Well diameter (in meters) : Well diameter (in meters) : Well depth (in meters).
Cost of project (cost of land if acquired may also be included) Rs
Type of infrastructure Cost as per project estimates
Expenditure actually
Sources of funding (Rs lakh)
Released amount
Amount actually
- Coverage of Market Yard (Number and name of villages);
- Commodities notified in Market Yard and Market fee being charged;
- Any convergence between Mandi Board, Warehousing Corporation and Marketing Federation envisaged? If so, provide details
- Please collect arrival details of commodities if the project is undertaken in existing market yards (unit in Metric Tonne)
- Operational difficulties observed in the implementation of the project
- What is role of Traders in Mandi
- Views of the farmers about created facilities under Bundelkhand package may be sought through FGD (Give detailed write up)
- If yes, then details about functioning/non functioning may be collected
- Infrastructure / activities created / undertaken with assistance from Bundelkhand package
- Details of Milk Collection/procurement, etc made by the society since inception to 2012-13
- Mode of payment and other details of the Society(provided to members) : 2012-13 Particulars Milk rate Per fat %
- Details of input provided to members (Feed, etc.) : 2012-13 Type of input Number of
- Status of completion of the project (please attach photos)
- Cost of project (cost of land if acquired may also be included) Rs lakh
- Mechanism of Milk Collection (from producer to BMC/CC to Milk Plant or Consumer
- Details of milk routes
- Timing of milk collection and disposal
- Progress of unit since inception
- Income and expenditure of the unit
- Details of equipments available with AI centre
- Coverage of the AI centre (No of villages & Animal population)
- Performance of AI Centre since inception
- Impact of AI
- What is the Process adopted for identification of calves born by the AI centres?
Method of payment and other details of the Society (provided to members Details Milk Tariff Per Fat % Details Milk Tariff Per Fat. Operational problems observed in the implementation/running of the project; suggestions for improving the performance.
