Unlocking water security: A comparative analysis of constraints in the adoption of Krishi Honda under Karnataka's Krishi Bhagya scheme

Introduction

The global agricultural landscape is currently grappling with the dual challenges of climate change and dwindling freshwater resources. In India, where nearly 54% of the net sown area is rain-fed, the vulnerability of the agricultural sector to monsoon fluctuations is profound (Meena et al., 2023) [6] . Karnataka, the state with the second-largest arid area in India after Rajasthan, presents a critical case study in water-stressed agriculture. Approximately 68% of the state's geographical area is prone to drought, leaving farmers increasingly reliant on innovative in-situ moisture conservation techniques. Climate variability and recurring droughts in the arid and semi-arid regions of Karnataka have necessitated robust water harvesting strategies. The Krishi Bhagya Scheme promotes the adoption of Krishi Hondas to ensure supplemental irrigation during critical crop growth stages (Government of Karnataka, 2024). However, the transition from traditional rain-fed farming to pond-based irrigation involves significant shifts in management and resource allocation. Understanding the bottlenecks in this adoption process is crucial for enhancing the efficiency of the scheme and ensuring sustainable farmer livelihoods. Karnataka's water crisis is multi-dimensional. The state is characterized by highly erratic rainfall patterns and a significant dependence on groundwater, which is being depleted at an alarming rate. According to the Central Ground Water Board (2023), several taluks in the state are categorized as "Over-exploited," with groundwater extraction exceeding recharge levels. This hydrological stress is exacerbated by the "Hard Rock" terrain of the Deccan Plateau, which offers limited storage capacity and poor recharge rates. Recent research by Ramappa and Lavanya (2021) [7] highlights that the recurrent droughts in the North and South Interior Karnataka have led to a 30% reduction in the productivity of major dryland crops, necessitating state intervention through schemes like Krishi Bhagya. Within Karnataka, the Chikkaballapur district serves as an epicenter of the water crisis. Located in the semi-arid Eastern Dry Zone (Zone-5), the district suffers from a severe lack of perennial river sources. Historically, the region relied on a chain of traditional tanks, but rapid urbanization and siltation have rendered many of these systems defunct. Current estimates suggest that the groundwater level in parts of Chikkaballapur has plummeted to depths exceeding 1,000-1,200 feet. Recent studies indicate that the fluoride and nitrate contamination in the district's groundwater has also surged, making the remaining water unsuitable for both domestic and agricultural use without significant treatment (Kumar & Singh, 2022) [5] . This "water-poverty" has forced a shift in cropping patterns, yet the adoption of water-saving technologies like Krishi Hondas (farm ponds) remains uneven. While these ponds are designed to act as "water banks" for life-saving irrigation, their success in Chikkaballapur is hampered by high evaporation rates and the economic inability of marginal farmers to invest in pond lining materials. To mitigate these regional disparities, the Government of Karnataka (2024) implemented the Krishi Bhagya scheme, prioritizing the construction of farm ponds integrated with www.extensionjournal.com micro-irrigation and diesel/solar pump sets. The scheme aims to provide a "critical irrigation" buffer during the dry spells of the Kharif season. However, the transition from subsistence rain-fed farming to managed pond-based irrigation involves a steep learning curve. Current extension research suggests that "Adoption" is not a binary event but a process influenced by the "Constraint Perception" of the farmer. While some studies focus on the technical efficiency of farm ponds, there is a significant gap in comparing the perceived hurdles between those who have successfully entered the scheme (Beneficiaries) and those who remain on the periphery (Non-beneficiaries). As Srinivasan and Reddy (2021) [8] argue, the "psychological and bureaucratic distance" to a technology often outweighs its physical availability. This study, therefore, employs the Henry Garrett Ranking Technique to critically analyze these constraints, providing a data-driven roadmap for enhancing water security in the drought-prone regions of Karnataka.

Methodology

The study employed an Ex-post facto and comparative research design. This design was selected because the researchers had no direct control over the independent variables (adoption status) as the events had already occurred. The comparative element allowed for a critical contrast between the perceived constraints of those who adopted the Krishi Honda (Beneficiaries) and those who did not (Non-beneficiaries).

Locale of the Study

The research was conducted in the Chikkaballapur district of Karnataka. This locale was purposively selected due to its status as a perennially drought-prone region with severe groundwater depletion (Central Ground Water Board, 2023). Chikkaballapur falls under the Eastern Dry Zone (Zone-5), characterized by red sandy loams and a critical dependency on in-situ moisture conservation for Kharif crop survival.

Sampling

Tools for Data Collection

Primary data were collected through a structured interview schedule, pre-tested for reliability and validity. The schedule included sections on socio-economic profiles, psychological constructs, and a specific section on "Problems Faced," where respondents were asked to rank six identified constraints from 1 to 6.

Statistical Analysis: The Henry Garrett Ranking Technique

To analyze the hierarchy of constraints, the Henry Garrett Ranking Technique was utilized. This method is superior to simple ranking as it converts the ordinal ranks into a standardized numerical score, allowing for more precise comparison between the two groups.

1: Conversion to Percentile Position

The assigned ranks were first converted into percentile positions using the formula:

Where: • = Rank given for the i th factor by the j th individual. • N = Total number of factors ranked by the individual (In this case, N=6)

2: Conversion to Garrett Scores

The calculated percentile positions were then converted into scores by referring to Garrett's Table . For example, a Rank 1 (Position 8.33) corresponds to a score of 81, whereas a Rank 6 (Position 91.67) corresponds to a score of 20.

Step 3: Calculation of Mean Scores

The scores for each constraint were summed and divided by the total number of respondents to arrive at the Garrett Mean Score (GMS):

The constraint with the highest GMS was assigned Rank I, and the lowest was assigned Rank VI.

The study was conducted in Karnataka, focusing on a sample of 200 farmers categorized into beneficiaries of the Krishi Bhagya scheme and non-beneficiaries. Data was collected through structured interviews and ranked based on six identified constraints. The Henry Garrett Ranking Technique was employed to convert these ranks into scores, providing a clear hierarchy of concerns.

Results and Discussion

The results of the Henry Garrett Ranking analysis reveal a significant divergence in the perception of constraints between farmers who have adopted the Krishi Honda (Beneficiaries) and those who have not (Non-beneficiaries).

The following sections detail the prioritization of these hurdles and their implications for agricultural water management in Karnataka.

Analysis of Problems Faced by Beneficiary Farmers:

For the 100 beneficiary respondents, the constraints are primarily operational. Since they have already crossed the "adoption threshold," their concerns shift toward the maintenance and utility of the infrastructure.

Based on the Garrett Mean Scores (GMS), the priorities for beneficiary farmers are as follows: The data indicates that Cost and Inputs is the foremost challenge ($GMS = 60.65$). Beneficiaries reported that while the Krishi Honda construction was subsidized, the recurring expenditure on diesel for pumping, replacement of clogged drip filters, and labor for pond desilting was prohibitive. Water Quality (Rank II) emerged as a critical technical bottleneck. In the Eastern Dry Zone, harvested rainwater often carries high sediment loads and minerals that cause "emitter clogging" in micro-irrigation systems. This finding is supported by Kumar and Singh (2022) [5] , who observed that without proper filtration units, the efficiency of farm ponds drops by 40% within two years. Furthermore, Power Supply (Rank III) remains a major grievance. In Karnataka, the erratic supply of 3-phase power for agriculture (often restricted to 6-7 hours at night) makes it difficult for farmers to utilize the stored water precisely during critical crop stress periods.

Analysis of Problems Faced by Non-Beneficiary Farmers

For non-beneficiaries, the constraints act as "barriers to entry." Their ranking reflects the reasons for their nonadoption or exclusion from the scheme. A striking difference is observed in the perception of Bureaucracy (Rank II) among non-beneficiaries ($GMS = 59.41$), which is significantly higher than that of beneficiaries (Rank IV). This suggests that the "red tape"including complex documentation, multiple office visits, and delays in subsidy release-is a major psychological deterrent. Non-beneficiaries view the administrative process as nearly as difficult as the Cost and Inputs (Rank I). Meena et al. (2023) [6] similarly argued that for marginal farmers, the "transaction cost" of navigating government schemes often outweighs the perceived value of the subsidy. Interestingly, Lack of Training (Rank V) and Favoritism (Rank VI) were ranked lowest, suggesting that farmers do not necessarily feel that the system is "unfair" or that they lack knowledge, but rather that the economic and administrative thresholds are simply too high to overcome. www.extensionjournal.com The comparative analysis reveals that while economic constraints (Cost and Inputs) are a universal Rank I problem, the secondary bottlenecks vary based on adoption status.

1. The "Pre-Adoption" Bottleneck: For those outside the scheme, the hurdle is Administrative. Streamlining the application process is essential to convert nonbeneficiaries into participants. 2. The "Post-Adoption" Bottleneck: For those inside the scheme, the hurdle is Techno-Physical (Water Quality and Power). Providing a pond without ensuring clean water or reliable energy for pumping results in underutilization of the asset.

Conclusion and Policy Implications

The study concludes that economic barriers are the most significant hindrance to the adoption of water conservation technologies in Karnataka. To improve the adoption rate of Krishi Hondas: 1. Financial Support: Subsidies should be extended to cover the operational costs of pumping and maintenance, not just initial construction. 2. Administrative Reform: Simplifying the application process for the Krishi Bhagya scheme is essential to bring non-beneficiaries into the fold.

Technical Training: Enhanced extension services

through KVKs (Krishi Vigyan Kendras) should focus on water quality management and energy-efficient pumping (Meena et al., 2023) [6] .

References

1. Central Ground Water Board (CGWB). Dynamic Ground Water Resources of India -2023. Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India; 2023.
2. Government of Karnataka. Karnataka State Disaster Management Authority Rabi Drought Report. Karnataka; 2018.
3. Government of Karnataka. Annual Report of the Department of Agriculture: Implementation of Krishi Bhagya Scheme. Bengaluru: Government Press; 2024.
4. Government of Karnataka. Economic Survey of Karnataka 2023-24. Planning, Programme Monitoring and Statistics Department; 2024.
5. Kumar A, Singh R. Constraints in the adoption of water harvesting technologies in Southern India. Journal of Agricultural Extension Management. 2022;15(2):45-58.
6. Meena MS, Singh SK, Sharma A. Socio-economic impact of farm pond interventions on rainfed farmers: Evidence from Karnataka. Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences. 2023;93(4):312-319.
7. Ramappa KB, Lavanya G. Impact of Krishi Bhagya Scheme on the livelihood of farmers in dryland regions of Karnataka. International Journal of Agriculture Sciences. 2021;13(5):10725-10728.
8. Srinivasan V, Reddy M. The role of Garrett Ranking in prioritizing agricultural constraints: A methodological review. Agricultural Research Journal. 2021;58(1):112120.