Methodology for evaluating livelihood security of farm households in treated watersheds

Abstract

Watershed-based development in India has been the strategy for growth and sustainability ofagriculture in semi-arid and dry sub-humid regions. Large public investments have been assigned for the purpose in the last 25 years with little tangible results as stated by Planning Commission ofIndia (2005) and more investments are earmarked for this purpose. Approaches to watershed development and management differ notwithstanding &'Uidelines for a common approach, often resulting in lopsided development that renders comparison ofgains achieved in any two watersheds, unrealistic. In view ofthe importance ofwatershed program for development ofrainfed regions in India, a study was undertaken to evaluate livelihood security offarm households using multi-disciplinary tools and techniques. Sustainability indicators were constructed to evaluate livelihood security at household level in four treated micro-watersheds in four villages located in Telangana region ofAndhra Pradesh identified as agro-ecological sub-region (AESR) 7.2. The methodology developed under this study facilitates a quantitative evaluation ofimpact ofwatershed projects in the region. Study indicates that to achieve livelihood security, watershed development program must emphasis on two issues - increasing yield and income. The indicators useful for evaluating these two issues were identified as development of sources of irrigation, soil OC content and fertility status, adoption rate ofimproved land management practices, slope management, S&WC measures, etc. In order to convert these intangible aspects ofagricultural management into tangible results, institutional support by way ofincreasing access to institutional credit and mobilizing farmers to form associations that could take care oftheir interests, were found to be vital. The present paper illustrates the methodology developed to evaluate livelihood security in two micro-watersheds in a village called Pamana located in Rangareddy District ofAndhra Pradesh.