Participatory Groundwater Management in Andhra Pradesh

210 Pages·2013·3.8 MB·Indonesian

Smallholders and
sustainable wells
A Retrospect: Participatory Groundwater
Management in Andhra Pradesh (India)
Smallholders and
sustainable wells
A Retrospect: Participatory Groundwater
Management in Andhra Pradesh (India)
Samala Venkata Govardhan Das
Jacob Burke
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS
Rome, 2013
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Smallholders and sustainable wells iii
Table of Contents
List of Figures ................................................................................................................................... v
List of Tables .................................................................................................................................... vi
List of Plates .................................................................................................................................... vi
List of Boxes ................................................................................................................................... vii
Acknowledgements ...................................................................................................................... viii
Glossary ........................................................................................................................................... xi
Acronyms and abbreviations ........................................................................................................ xv
Executive Summary ....................................................................................................................... xx
1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................1
2. The Participatory Groundwater Management (PGM) Package ..............................................6
2.1 Group-managed borewell irrigation systems .....................................................................6
2.2 Delineation of the hydrological unit (HU) .........................................................................9
2.3 Participatory hydrological monitoring (PHM) ..................................................................11
2.4 Farmer data management .................................................................................................20
2.5 Groundwater balance estimation and crop–water budgeting (CWB) ............................28
2.6 Artificial groundwater recharge (AGR) ............................................................................37
2.7 Community capacity building ...........................................................................................40
2.8 Community based institutions (CBI) ..................................................................................49
3. The Path ....................................................................................................................................54
3.1 Wells for smallholders (1995–2002) ..................................................................................54
3.2 The Afterthought (1999) ...................................................................................................56
3.3 Participatory hydrological monitoring (PHM), the Pilot (1999–2003) ............................56
3.4 APWELL Final Evaluation (April–June 2003) .....................................................................69
3.5 APFAMGS–Royal Netherlands Embassy Phase (Jul 2003–Apr 2004) ................................70
3.6 The transition to APFAMGS, the FAO NEX6 Project (Aug 2004 – Aug 2009) .................72
3.7 Beyond APFAMGS ..............................................................................................................78
4. The Responses ..........................................................................................................................80
4.1 Aquifer system response ....................................................................................................80
4.2 People’s response ...............................................................................................................88
4.3 Response from the external environment ........................................................................95
iv Smallholders and sustainable wells
5. Specific Responses .................................................................................................................103
5.1 Chandrasagarvagu: ‘Safe’ category ................................................................................103
5.2 Thundlavagu: ‘Semi-critical’ category .............................................................................110
5.3 Bhavanasi: ‘Critical’ category ..........................................................................................117
5.4 Mandavagu: ‘Over-exploited’ category ..........................................................................123
5.5 Summary of the analysis ..................................................................................................130
6. Sustainability, Relevance and Upscaling ..............................................................................134
6.1 Sustainability ....................................................................................................................134
6.2 Relevance .........................................................................................................................136
6.3 Upscaling ..........................................................................................................................150
6.4 Myth and reality ...............................................................................................................154
References .....................................................................................................................................158
Annexes
1 List of Hydrological Unit Networks (HUNs) currently active in Andhra Pradesh ...........165
2 Summary of the results obtained from HU level analysis of water level behaviour .....167
3 Categorization of HUs based on stage of development .................................................169
4 Post facto farmer survey questionnaire ...........................................................................171
5 Emerging model of Participatory Groundwater Management ......................................173
Smallholders and sustainable wells v
List of Figures
2.1 Upper Gundlakamma sub-basin and its 25 hydrological units,
Prakasam district (AP) ..........................................................................................................12
3.1 Map of Gundlakamma basin ...............................................................................................60
4.1 Location of HUs showing different water level trends for 2005–2011 .............................81
4.2 Pie-chart showing categories of HUs in the PGM area ......................................................82
4.3 Graph showing the average withdrawal in
the assessment years with respect to base year .................................................................85
4.4 Location of HUs showing different categories
of ‘stage of groundwater development’ ............................................................................87
4.5 Pie-chart showing breakdown by main source of income in PGM area ...........................88
4.6 Number of functional borewells in PGM area 2006–2011 ................................................89
4.7 Hectares irrigated from borewells, in PGM area 2006–2011 .............................................90
4.8 Hectares under major crops in rabi season in the PGM area 2006–2010 .........................91
4.9 Hectares under efficient irrigation methods 2006–2010 ...................................................92
4.10 Hectares under sprinkler systems rabi season in the PGM area 2006–2010 .....................92
4.11 Hectares under drip systems rabi season in the PGM area 2006–2010 .............................93
5.1 Map of Chandrasagarvagu Hydrological Unit .................................................................103
5.2 Drainage map of Chandrasagarvagu hydrological unit ..................................................104
5.3 Geological map of Chandrasagarvagu hydrological unit ................................................105
5.4 Pie-chart showing breakdown of livelihoods
by main source of income in Chandrasagarvagu HU .......................................................107
5.5 Map of Thundlavagu hydrological unit ............................................................................110
5.6 Drainage map of Thundlavagu hydrological unit ...........................................................111
5.7 Geological map of Thundlavagu hydrological unit .........................................................112
5.8 Pie-chart showing breakdown by main source of income in Thundlavagu HU .............114
5.9 Map of Bhavanasi hydrological unit .................................................................................117
5.10 Drainage map of Bhavanasi hydrological unit .................................................................118
5.11 Geological map of Bhavanasi hydrological unit ..............................................................119
5.12 Pie-chart showing breakdown by main source of income in Bhavanasi HU ..................121
5.13 Map of Mandavagu hydrological unit ..............................................................................124
5.14 Drainage map of Mandavagu hydrological unit .............................................................125
5.15 Geological map of Mandavagu hydrological unit ...........................................................126
5.16 Pie-chart showing breakdown by main source of income in Mandavagu HU .................127
vi Smallholders and sustainable wells
List of Tables
2.1 Recharge rates for different groundwater formations in India (Source: GEC 97) .........29
2.2: Scientific activities vis-à-vis outputs as part of AGR pilot in APWELL .............................38
2.3 APFAMGS – artificial recharge structures .........................................................................39
3.1 NGOs involved in APWELL at the district level ................................................................55
3.2 Partner NGOs during APFAMGS-RNE phase .....................................................................70
4.1 Estimation of groundwater recharge (June–September 2007) in Bhavanasi HU ..........83
4.2 Roles and responsibilities of community-based Institutions ...........................................94
5.1 Summary of Case Study results .......................................................................................130
6.1 How the PGM approach is different from conventional approaches ..........................137
List of Plates
2.1 A typical rain-gauge station established as part of PHM .................................................14
2.2 A production well converted into a monitoring well to measure water levels ..............16
2.3 A production-cum-monitoring well to measure water levels and well discharge .........18
2.4 A stream gauge station for measuring outflow from the HU .........................................19
2.5 A base document ................................................................................................................20
2.6 Hydrological monitoring record ........................................................................................21
2.7 Hydrological unit display board .........................................................................................22
2.8 Rainfall display board .........................................................................................................22
2.9 Water level display board ..................................................................................................23
2.10 Information board ..............................................................................................................24
2.11 Crop–water budgeting results board and crop–water economics board .......................24
2.12 Habitation Resource Information System window ...........................................................26
2.13 Crop–water information kiosk ...........................................................................................27
2.14 Crop–water budgeting workshop .....................................................................................33
2.15 Artificial groundwater recharge structures ......................................................................40
2.16 Kalajatha (street theatre) ...................................................................................................41
2.17 Audio-visual aids .................................................................................................................42
2.18 Community newsletter .......................................................................................................43
2.19 PHM training .......................................................................................................................44
2.20 A field used as part of a Farmer Water School .................................................................48
2.21 Groundwater Monitoring Committee meeting ................................................................50
2.22 Hydrological Unit Network meeting .................................................................................51
Smallholders and sustainable wells vii
4.1 Photo of visitors ..................................................................................................................96
4.2 Demand-side groundwater management (DSGM) training ............................................98
4.3 Participation in international events ...............................................................................100
List of Boxes
3.1 Nagi, the achiever and motivator ......................................................................................55
3.2 PHM activity quenches villagers’ thirst in Regumanipalle village ...................................57
3.3 IPHM activity results in low-yielding borewell becoming functional in Nalgonda ........59
3.4 PHM volunteer takes responsibility for data collection
at Drought Prone Areas Programme (DPAP) rain gauge station .....................................60
3.5 People of Gottipadiya control borewell drilling
after PHM intervention in the village ...............................................................................62
viii Smallholders and sustainable wells
Acknowledgements
The authors specifically thank Paul Ter Weel, former First Secretary, the Royal Netherlands
Embassy in India, who was the real inspiration behind the success stories of Andhra Pradesh
Borewell Irrigation Schemes (APWELL) and Andhra Pradesh Farmer Managed Groundwater
Systems (APFAMGS). Along with him, Daniel Gustafson, former Food and Agriculture
Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Representative in India and Bhutan was instrumental
in re-routing of the Netherlands funds through FAO, and kept alive the promising work, which
otherwise would have been abrubtly wound up. Parviz Koohafkan, former Director of Land and
Water Division in the Natural Resources Management and Environment Department of FAO,
Rome, Italy, is gratefully acknowledged for his support. No words can describe the contribution
of P.S. Rao, former National Professional Officer, Royal Netherlands Embassy and later the
National Programme Coordinator, Land and Water, FAO India, whose open-to-all style of
working was the sole motivating factor, giving the implementers courage to field test concepts
once considered ambitious.
This publication was written under the continuous guidance of Jacob Burke, Lead Irrigation
Specialist, World Bank, Water Anchor. Consistent encouragement was provided by Thierry
Facon, Senior Water Management Officer, Asia Pacific Region, FAO; the former and current
FAO Country Representatives in India, Gavin Wall and Peter Kenmore; and Satya Priya, National
Programme Coordinator, Land and Water, FAO India.
The work discussed in this publication, is based on the experience of a decade-long partnership
between development professionals and smallholder farmers in Andhra Pradesh (India). More
than 100 professionals (geologists, agricultural scientists, sociologists and engineers) and half-
a-million (men and women) farmers were involved in this experiment. The information used in
this publication is sourced from reports generated by the Andhra Pradesh Borewell Irrigation
Schemes, or APWELL Project and APFAMGS Project, implemented with funding from the Royal
Government of the Netherlands, and later with FAO support.
We also acknowledge the support of the Team Leaders: Ben Witjes, Jan Van der Wal (and
his deputy Narayan Bhat), T.N. Reddy and K.A.S. Mani. External resource persons who made
notable contributions included: Rajeshwar Mishra, Ganesh Pangare, Prabhat Kumar, S. Rajender
Rao, David Kehler and K. Guru Prasad. We are grateful to the colleagues who accompanied us
on our travels, specifically: R. Ratnaker, Joseph Plakkoottam, David van Raalten, P. Ravi Kumar,
B.V. Vijaya Laxmi, S.A. Kamilla, S.S. Kandagal, M.P. Goud, M.S.R. Swaroop, I. Arjun Kumar, P.
Radhakrishna Rao, G.N.V. Rajesh, K. Govinda Rao, N. Krishnaveni, S.A. Hirudairaj, N. Eshwar
Reddy, Kolluru Sreedhar, K. Srinivas Reddy, S. Lalitha, Chandraiah, K. Pavan Kumar, Narendra,
Yugandhar, L. Srininvas Goud, Nagaraju, M. Rajagopala Rao, C. Vijaya Bhasker, P.S. Kalyan
Babu, J. Vasu Prakash, E. Bhushanker, Md. Abdul Khader, S.R. Suresh Babu, H. Rizwana, K.
Kanthamma, M. Sreedevi, K. Ramani, T. Sharmila, G.S. Ayesha, G. Malleshwari, D. Karunakar,
S.V.M. Shyamsunder, K. Satyanarayana, R. Veni, G. Sunil, G. Balaji, G.S. Noorullah, K. Rajendra
Prasad, K. Nagaraju, V.
Smallholders and sustainable wells ix
Vardha Reddy, G. Dhanamjaya Rao, M. Mahanandi, B. Kondal Reddy, G.S. Madhu Kumar, B.
Sasikala, K. Bhagyamma, C.V. Mallikarjuna Rao, P. Sangyamaiah, P. Dayaraj, B.K. Ravishanker,
K. Ranga Reddy, M.S.G. Sekhar Raj, S. Ashwardha Kumari, K.E. Rani, R.J. Rajakumari, P. Prasad,
M. Anitha, M. Chinna Gurappa, T. Narasimha, S.K. Babu Ali, P. Chandrasekhar, K. Subbaraju, B.
Prathap, B. Srinivas, Sk. Mohammad, V. Nagaraju, Md. Bipasha and Md. Razaak.
On our decade-long journey in search of a viable model for Participatory Groundwater
Management, several institutions and individuals travelled with us. Among these were:
Arcadis Euroconsult, the Netherlands; Andhra Pradesh State Irrigation Development
Corporation (APSIDC); the Institute of Resource Development and Social Management (IRDAS);
Priyum advisory and Consultancy Services Private Limited (PRIYUM); Bharathi Integrated
Rural Development Society (BIRDS); Sumadhura Geomatica Private Limited (SGPL); World
Education (WE); Rural Integrated and Social Education Society (RISES); Gram Vikas Samstha
(GVS); Rayalaseema Harijana Girijan Backward Minority Seva Samajam (RHGBMSS); Centre
for Rural Youth Development (CRYD); Adarsha Welfare Society (AWS); Dalit Adivasi Seva
Morcha (DASM); SPANDANA Society; Star Youth Association (SYA); People’s Activity for Rural
Technology Nurturing Ecological Rejuvenation (PARTNER); Centre for Applied Research and
Extension (CARE); Social Awareness for Integrated Development (SAID); Collective Activity for
Rejuvenation of Village Arts and Environment (CARVE); Development Initiatives and People’s
Action (DIPA); Society for Sustainable Agriculture and Forest Ecology (SAFE); and Adoni Area
Rural Development Initiatives Programme (AARDIP).
G. Anil assisted with the compilation and conduction of the evaluation as part of the post
facto study. We appreciate the patience and endurance of K.V.S. Laxmi and Rambabu, who
provided assistance compiling the information used in this publication. The analysis is based
on hydrological data collected and stored by the Hydrological Unit Networks (HUN), the
groundwater farmer collectives. We take this opportunity to congratulate half a million farmers
for their efforts to sustain their wells, and in the process, provide the world with a workable
model for sustainable groundwater management.
It is impossible to list everybody, however, we would like to record our appreciation of the
efforts of key farmer leaders: A. Srinivasulu, Ramanamma, S. Ramanjaneyulu, Sreedevi, Dastagiri
Reddy, Krishnaiah, G. V. Konda Reddy, K. Ramakka, Thirupalu, Veerachary, L. Ramasubba
Reddy, B. Venkatasubbamma, B. Jayaramireddy, N. Adilaxmamma, V. Nagi Reddy, V. Laxmidevi,
P. Laxminarasamma, T. Pullaiah, Subbalaxmamma, M. Balamma, T. Aruna Kumari, Y. Narayana
Reddy, K. Bhasker, T. Obulesh, P. Raju, N. Ngavenamma, Y. Vara Prasad, M. Eshwaraiah, C.
Krishna Reddy, R. Ramanaiah, J. Venkoji Rao, K. Chandramma M. Mechappa, P. Shameem, C.
Nagi Reddy, T. Venkatesh Babu, J. Val Reddy, K. Shashikala, H. Hayathun, E. Lakshmanna, E.
Adenna, M. Mallikarjuna, B. Jayamma, R. Niranjan, Md. Abdul Rehman, V. Ramakrishna, G.
Srinivas Reddy, N. Parvathamma, B. Chandrasekhar, R. Rupli, Jangi Reddy, G. Sugunamma, K.
Narayana Reddy, T. Saraswati, Ch. Ramanamma, T. Vijayalaxmi, Ch. Peddanna, S. Jyothi, D.
Prabhudasu, D. Vijayalaxmi, M. Guruvaiah, Sk. Mukhtiyar, A. Venkata Subbamma, G. Subbaiah,
G. Gouri, R. Laxmi Reddy, Venkata Siva, G. Bhulaxmidevi, K. Bhasker Reddy, T. Ramadevi, M.
Venkateshwarlu, P. Narayanamma, G. Bhasker Reddy, V. Padmavathi, B.Ch. Narasimha Reddy, R.
Adilakshmi, B. Ramachandrudu, M. Suvarnamma, S. Puspavathi, P.V. Laxmi Prasad, S. Narasimha
Reddy, M. Jayalaxmi, K. Nagarjuna Rao, B. Saraswati, K. Narsi Reddy, S. Vijayalaxmi, J. Sankara,
D. Lakshmidevi, K. Malleshwari, R. Venugopal Reddy, P. Anita, D. Laxmaiah, D. Ramana Reddy,