Baseline characterization of benchmark watersheds in India, Thailand and Vietnam.

Abstract

The project on “Improving Management of Natural Resources for Sustainable Rainfed Agriculture” (RETA 5812) was executed by the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) by adopting a consortium approach for technical backstopping of the community watersheds. The targeted ecoregion is characterized by assured annual rainfall of 700–1300 mm with medium to high water holding capacity soils. Five benchmark watersheds in India, northeast Thailand and northern Vietnam covering the target ecoregion were selected to develop and test the holistic farmer participatory integrated watershed development model with the aim of increasing agricultural productivity on sustainable basis while minimizing land degradation for improving the rural livelihoods. All the five benchmark watersheds in Asia were characterized for socioeconomic parameters by adopting rapid rural appraisals (RRAs) and detailed household surveys using stratified sampling method. The results of biophysical, socioeconomic, characterization as well as inputs and crop productivity are discussed in this report