Suggestions of tribal farmers for effective utilization of water resource creation and management technology in Palghar District of Maharashtra

Introduction

Water is one of the most important natural resources influencing agricultural production and livelihood security of rural households. The importance of water becomes more pronounced in rainfed and tribal areas, where agricultural production largely depends upon the availability and distribution of monsoon rainfall. Creation, conservation and efficient management of available water resources are therefore essential for achieving sustainable agricultural development. The Konkan region of Maharashtra receives high rainfall during the monsoon season. However, the region experiences considerable water scarcity during the post-monsoon and summer periods due to high rainfall intensity, rapid surface runoff, undulating topography and limited water-storage capacity. The problem is particularly evident in tribal areas, where agriculture is predominantly rainfed and the majority of farmers possess limited resources. Palghar district is one of the important tribal-dominated districts of Maharashtra. In the tribal areas of the district, particularly Jawhar, Mokhada and Vikramgad, agriculture constitutes an important source of livelihood. Despite receiving substantial rainfall, farmers experience seasonal water scarcity, which adversely affects crop production and restricts opportunities for cultivation during the postmonsoon period. Various Water Resource Creation and Management Technologies have been promoted to improve the availability and efficient utilization of water in such areas. These include Jalkunds, farm ponds, and water harvesting structures, soil and water conservation measures and micro-irrigation systems. Such technologies have considerable potential for providing protective irrigation, improving cropping opportunities and increasing agricultural productivity. However, effective utilization of WRCMT depends upon several supporting factors such as adequate infrastructure, timely financial assistance, technical guidance, and awareness about government schemes, institutional coordination and farmers' participation. The effectiveness and sustainability of water-resource interventions can therefore be improved by understanding the suggestions of the beneficiaries who directly experience the operational difficulties associated with these technologies. Farmers' suggestions provide practical information regarding www.extensionjournal.com the measures required for improving the accessibility, implementation and utilization of water-resource interventions. Incorporation of beneficiary-oriented suggestions in development programmes can help implementing agencies formulate more realistic and needbased strategies. Keeping this in view, the present study was undertaken to ascertain the suggestions of tribal farmers for overcoming the constraints encountered in deriving benefits from Water Resource Creation and Management Technology in Palghar district of Maharashtra.

Objective

To seek the suggestions of tribal farmers to overcome the constraints in getting benefits of Water Resource Creation and Management Technology.

Methodology

The present study was conducted in Palghar district of Maharashtra. The study area represents an important tribal region where agriculture is predominantly dependent upon rainfall. A total of 250 tribal farmers constituted the sample for the investigation. The study was conducted using an ex-post-facto research design. A structured interview schedule was developed in accordance with the objectives of the investigation. The interview schedule was prepared after consultation with experts and review of relevant literature. It was pre-tested among tribal farmers outside the actual study area and necessary modifications were incorporated before finalization. The data were collected personally by the researcher through face-to-face interviews using the pre-tested structured interview schedule. The tribal farmers were asked to provide their suggestions for overcoming the constraints experienced by them in deriving benefits from Water Resource Creation and Management Technology. The responses obtained from the tribal farmers were recorded and analysed. Frequency and percentage were used for analysis of the suggestions. The suggestions were subsequently ranked according to the percentage of respondents reporting each suggestion, with the suggestion receiving the highest percentage being assigned the first rank.

Results and Discussion

The suggestions made by the tribal farmers for minimizing the constraints encountered in getting benefits of Water Resource Creation and Management Technology are presented in Table 1.

Conclusion

The present investigation revealed that tribal farmers expressed several practical suggestions for overcoming the constraints encountered in deriving benefits from Water Resource Creation and Management Technology. Among the identified suggestions, increasing the number of Jalkunds sanctioned under the Tribal Sub-Plan and ensuring their equitable distribution across villages (91.20%) emerged as the most important suggestion. It was followed by establishment of coordination committees between agriculture and water departments (82.80%), promotion of micro-irrigation systems such as drip and sprinkler irrigation (80.00%), regular awareness campaigns regarding government schemes (78.40%) and provision of financial support or low-interest credit facilities (72.00%).

The findings indicate that tribal farmers require not only increased access to water harvesting structures but also appropriate institutional, financial, technical and infrastructural support for their effective utilization. Expansion of Jalkunds needs to be accompanied by efficient irrigation technologies, awareness regarding government programmes, timely financial assistance, regular training and technical guidance. The study therefore concludes that an integrated and need-based approach involving waterresource creation, efficient water utilization, institutional coordination, financial assistance, capacity building and infrastructure development is essential for improving the effectiveness and sustainability of Water Resource Creation and Management Technology among tribal farmers.

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