Effect of Water Management and Development in Rainfed Agriculture: A Socio-economic Impact Analysis

The study attempted to determine the effects of soil and water conservation measures on the socio-economic status of the people in rain-fed agriculture. The findings showed that the socio-economic development index of the beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries of the Khuntapingu watershed were 0.623 and 0.426, respectively. The socio-economic development index of the beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries of the Haripur watershed were 0.404 and 0.263 respectively. The results showed the difference in the impact of the adoption of soil water conservation measures; in two different agro-climatic regions within a district, such that the impact of the Khuntapingu watershed was comparatively better than Haripur watershed. The impact of the treatment of the watersheds differs in two agro-climatic zones. It was mainly due to the difference in land topography and the difference in baseline socio-economic conditions of the people across the watersheds. So, in order to achieve good results from the treatment of the watersheds in two agro-climatic conditions, the effort and approach of the implementing agency on two different agro-climatic zones will be different as per the location. Better convergence of government schemes with empowerment for the demand-driven approach of the community institutions through the adoption and adaptation of technology of soil and conservation will have a better impact on the community. Keywords: Rain-fed agriculture, socio-economic development index, water management. JEL Codes: O13, Q15, Q25.