Impact of water harvesting on groundwater recharge, productivity and net returns with integrated farming systems approach in eastern dry zone of Karnataka

The paper evaluates the performance of water harvesting structures by looking at the case of the Sujala watershed in Karnataka. The water harvesting structures have facilitated the rejuvenation of failed wells and enhanced the water yield. About 75% of the failed bore wells were rejuvenated as against 66% in the non- watershed. The yield of bore wells were increased by 21% in the watershed where as in non-watershed area the water yield has reduced by 11%. Investment analysis of water harvesting structures indicated that for every rupee of present investment on water harvesting structure there is a return of Rs. 2.79 in farm pond and Rs. 2.19 in recharge pits. Further, productivity of crops has enhanced through protective irrigation given at critical stages of crop growth and moisture conservation, which in turn increased the net returns of the farmer.Length: pp.764-774Water harvestingGroundwater rechargeWatershedsDevelopment projectsCostsFarming systemsArid zonesWellsIrrigation waterCase studies

Equity in distribution of benefits from water harvesting and groundwater recharge: an economic study in Sujala Watershed Project in Karnataka

The paper looks at the impact of water harvesting programs in ground water recharge through the case of the Sujala watershed in Karnataka. On comparison with areas of non sujala watershed and non watershed cases in one normal rainfall and one drought year, it was revealed that Sujala has been successful in recharging groundwater, improving farmers’ incomes and increasing crop production. Further the program is inclusive and the benefits were accrued even to the small and marginal farmers. In fact the net return for small and marginal farmers was higher that that for large and medium farmers. The study concluded that there is potential for expansion of Sujala pattern of watershed development program in other parts of Karnataka and India.Length: pp.720-746Water harvestingGroundwater rechargeWatershedsDevelopment projectsGroundwater irrigationWellsEconomic impact

Contract farming and its implications for input-supply, linkages between markets and farmers in Karnataka

This study is focused on the economic analysis of contract farming with a comparison of income, access to technology and credit of contract and non-contract farmers. The advantages of contract farming for smallholders have also been evaluated. In contract farming, quality inputs such as seeds, fertilizers and plant protection chemicals are provided to the farmers at their farm gate, coupled with the technical advice on production aspects. This not only reduces the working capital needs of farmers but also substantially reduces their transaction cost per unit of output. Borrowing of crop loans has been found 33 per cent higher by non-contract farmers than contract farmers, as the former have to buy material inputs. The net returns have been found higher for contract than non-contract farmers. Within contract farming, net returns have been recorded higher under domestic than foreign contracts for both baby corn and chilli. In the case of non-contract farmers, the net returns (Rs 3,035) have been found less than one-third of domestic contract farmers (Rs 10,610) and slightly more than one-third of foreign contract farmers (Rs 8,050). In the case of chilli also, the net returns realized per acre have been recorded maximum under domestic contract farmers, followed by foreign contract farmers and non-contract farmers. The returns per rupee invested have been noted higher in farming of baby corn in all the three categories than those of chilli farming. The constraints identified in the study include delay in payment and delivery of inputs, delay in lifting the produce, access to seeds, manupulation of grades by the buyers, and high cost of inputs in contract farming. Factors inducing farmers into contract are: low initial investment, better price for the produce, access to market, technical support on package of practices, access to inputs and easy transportation facilities.Farm Management,

Enhancement of Indian Software Quality Management Using Multi Criteria Objects and Six Sigma Methodology

The objective of this article is to classify the software serious success factors of six sigma execution, as well as the lean six sigma tools methods that it uses in all the phases of the DMAIC structured methodology.A literature survey of six sigma software serious success factor has been realized and also an attempt to connect them with the enablers of Indian software quality management. A literature survey of the lean six sigma tools and methods used to follows and a classify them according to the phase of the DMAIC.This article has to collect a list of 6 software serious factors which were classified according to the five Indian software quality management enablers and the IMF,EMF,ESF,ISF differentiation. A list of various methods utilized in the different phases of sixsigma and the ISO suggestions has also been referred.Finally the classification of software serious success factors and methods of six sigma technology could be a valuable lean six sigma tools for academics and professionals to understand and execute the methodology in the appropriate way

Comparative Economic Analysis of Baby Corn under Contract and Non-Contract Farming in Karnataka

The economic analysis of contract and non-contract farming of baby corn in Karnataka has been presented. The study has revealed that the total cost incurred to cultivate baby corn was 8,499, 9,948 and 9,653 for farmers under foreign firm, domestic firm and non-contract, respectively. The contract farmers realized higher productivity (19.5 q/acre under foreign company and 22.6 q/acre under domestic company) compared to non-contract farmers (16.2 q/acre). For non-contract farmers, the net returns were almost one-third of that of farmers under a domestic firm and almost one-fourth of the farmers under a foreign firm. The firms supplied the necessary inputs to the farmers, thus reducing the need of working capital to the tune of 30 per cent. The transaction cost was meagre for contract farmers ( 89/acre and 6/acre) for farmers under foreign and domestic firms, respectively), while it was 2,318/acre for non-contract farmers. The technical assistance was also provided to farmers under contract with a focus on higher productivity and better quality produce

Governance of Benefits from Developmental Programmes to Farmers in Karnataka

There are umpteen number of developmental programmes concentrating on poor. However, at no single place, a list of these programmes offered by Government, NGOs and other agencies are available. This study has the objective of documenting and analysing the developmental programmes/schemes in vogue, benefits rcfeived, difficulties faced in availing the benefits of developmental programmetnd the transaction costs incurred to avail the benefit in the rural and peri-urba areas of Bangalore metropolis surrounding Magadi. For this study, a sample of 0 farmers from peri urban (Magadi town area) and another sample of 50 farmers from rural area (Halasabele village Magadi) have been chosen, to have comparison between the benefits of developmental programmes received by the farmers in peri-urban areas with that of farmers of rural area. Magadi town is well connected with Bangalore metropolis by a new asphalted road. Halasabele village is included in the sample as the rural village located 20 kms away from Magadi town on the way to Kunigal, with relatively low urban or peri-urban influence. A litmus test for the apparent difference between peri-urban and rural area lies in the market value of land of Rs. 2 million per acre in peri urban Magadi and Rs.O.S to 0.6 million per acre in rural area of Halasabele, pointing to a difference of around 300 per cent. The sample farmers were chosen to include 25 farmers with irrigation facility and 25 farmers without irrigation facility with the hypothesis that irrigation confers higher benefits. It is also hypothesised that the governance of developmental programmes is indicated by the magnitude of transaction cost

Baseline Scenario of Postrainy Season Sorghum Economy in Marathwada Region of Maharashtra. Working Paper Series No. 38

Postrainy season sorghum is one of the major dietary staple cereal crops in Marathwada region supporting food and fodder security. Currently, the productivity levels are extremely low because of limited adoption of dryland technologies by the poor. Thus, the HOPE project aimed at increasing the productivity of sorghum and pearl millet by 35-40% over the base level in South Asia through introducing on-shelf technology and improved management practices in the targeted clusters over a period of four years. In this regard, the baseline survey was conducted in the primary project intervention area (HOPE) where improved technologies have been introduced and in matching control villages with comparable agro-ecological and market conditions in non-intervention area (non- HOPE), where improved technologies have not been made. The objective of the baseline survey was to appraise the existing situation of the targeted cluster villages with respect to adoption of technologies, productivity, income, yield gaps and other socioeconomic issues. The coverage area of improved rabi sorghum varieties were around 15% in HOPE and 5% in non-HOPE areas, where the yield gap was estimated at 40–50% as compared to the potential yield for the improved varieties. The productivity of rabi sorghum in the HOPE area was 1.17 t/ha and in the non-HOPE area 1.2 t/ha. However, in the HOPE area farmers are receiving a net return of ` 2017 per ha and in the non-HOPE ` 2421 considering all costs. The annual per capita income in the HOPE area is ` 32,029, while in the non-HOPE area, it is ` 40,669, of which 65% is derived from crop enterprise only. There is significant involvement of women in activities such as land preparation, intercultural operations, harvesting and threshing. Moisture stress especially during sowing and/or terminal stage and shortage of labor especially during harvesting and threshing were some of the key critical constraints expressed by the farmers in adoption of improved rabi sorghum technologies

Baseline Scenario of Rainy Season Pearl Millet Economy in Gujarat - Working Paper Series No. 41

Gujarat state is one of the most important pearl millet producing states where it is consumed as staple food supporting poor smallholders and livestock in the harsh agroclimatic region. Currently, the productivity levels are relatively low due to limited adoption of dryland technologies by the poor. The Harnessing Opportunities for Productivity Enhancement (HOPE) project aimed at increasing the productivity of pearl millet by 35-40% over the base level. In this regard, the baseline survey was carried out in the primary project intervention area (HOPE) where improved technologies have been introduced and in matching control villages with comparable agro-ecological and market conditions in the non-intervention area (non-HOPE), where improved technologies have not been used. The objective of the baseline survey was to appraise the existing situation of the targeted clusters Radhanpur and Tharad with respect to adoption of technologies, productivity, income, yield gaps and other socioeconomic issues

Baseline Scenario of Postrainy Season Sorghum Economy in Western Maharashtra. Working Paper Series No. 39

Postrainy season sorghum is one of the major dietary staple cereal crops in the western Maharashtra region suppo