Diagnostic and Socio-economic Analysis of Bhimsagar Irrigation Scheme

Faulty operation and poor upkeep of irrigation infrastructures have caused low irrigation efficiency inmany major and medium schemes globally. Low performance is mainly caused due to poor physicalcondition and low maintenance. This study was done to carry out the diagnostic and socio-economic analysisof the Bhimsagar irrigation scheme. In the diagnostic analysis, operational problems in the entire canalnetwork of Bhimsagar irrigation project were assessed by conducting several field surveys and by holdingfarmers meeting. As agriculture developmental schemes in any area cause changes in the economic conditionof farmers. The socio-economic survey was undertaken on total of 600 families engaged in agriculture andcovering 3118 persons/farmers in the scheme’s entire command area. Results revealed that water deliveryand distribution system is not satisfactory. Head reach farmers utilize more water than the middle and tailend section without considering the actual crop water demand. Overall, irrigation efficiency was 27 %,emphasizing that current operational and maintenance policies should be changed to improve systemsperformance. Agriculture is the primary income source of people, and their living standard is inadequate.New technology adoption is rare due to poor education and knowledge on recent developments in agriculturetechnologies.Godkänd;2021;Nivå 0;2021-12-21 (johcin)</p

Diagnostic and Socio-economic Analysis of Bhimsagar Irrigation Scheme

Faulty operation and poor upkeep of irrigation infrastructures have caused low irrigation efficiency inmany major and medium schemes globally. Low performance is mainly caused due to poor physicalcondition and low maintenance. This study was done to carry out the diagnostic and socio-economic analysisof the Bhimsagar irrigation scheme. In the diagnostic analysis, operational problems in the entire canalnetwork of Bhimsagar irrigation project were assessed by conducting several field surveys and by holdingfarmers meeting. As agriculture developmental schemes in any area cause changes in the economic conditionof farmers. The socio-economic survey was undertaken on total of 600 families engaged in agriculture andcovering 3118 persons/farmers in the scheme’s entire command area. Results revealed that water deliveryand distribution system is not satisfactory. Head reach farmers utilize more water than the middle and tailend section without considering the actual crop water demand. Overall, irrigation efficiency was 27 %,emphasizing that current operational and maintenance policies should be changed to improve systemsperformance. Agriculture is the primary income source of people, and their living standard is inadequate.New technology adoption is rare due to poor education and knowledge on recent developments in agriculturetechnologies.Godkänd;2021;Nivå 0;2021-12-21 (johcin)</p