PARTICIPATORY IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT AS A TOOL FOR IMPROVING WATER USE EFFICIENCY PARTICIPATORY APPROACH FOR IMPROVING IRRIGATION EFFICIENCY THROUGH MICRO IRRIGATION TECHNOLOGY IN KERALA STATEA CASE STUDY
B.SHANMUGASUNDARAM AND CHITRA PARAYIL
FACTS • Water
requirement for human and industrial needs is increasing • Water availability for agriculture will become scarce commodity in future •Kerala-Undulating topography, uneven rainfall, high population density, on the lowest per capita water availability, majority of State river become drier during summer • Kerala falls in the category of having 1-3Mha potentiality of MI systems •Efficiency of MI system in Kerala as reported to be 70-75 %. Solution ? Micro Irrigation Demonstration conducted under the Farmer Participatory Action Research Programme reveal that cluster approach and adoption of modern drip fertigation methods in vegetable production will increase the water and fertilizer use efficiency of crops resulting in higher yield and income for the farmers
General Objectives To demonstrate water use efficiency in Vegetable crop under the Farmer Participatory Action Research Programme through Micro irrigation Specific Objectives To impart training on use and maintenance of Drip fertigation and cultivation of vegetables To develop capacity building in drip fertigation technologies To establish a network between farmers, research institutes,government departments and marketing agencies in upscaling the drip fertigation technology
Description of work Selection of Village: Elavancherry,Palakkad district of Kerala Selection of crop : Bitter gourd and Snake gourd Interventions A)Technological interventions-Soil testing,MIsystems, Fertigation and Plastic Mulching B) Extension Interventions-Group formation,Training,Exposure visit and Review meeting C) Market interventions-Vegetable and Fruit Promotion Council of Kerala(VFPCK)
Comparative cost of cultivation Bittergourd and Snake gourd under drip fertigation method of cultivation (per ha per season) Cost of cultivation (Rs)
S.No Operation Bitter gourd 1
Land preparation
22125
Snake Per cent gourd 6.06 22125
2
Planting and Trailing cost
85625
23.46
72625
21.87
3
Fertilizer application cost
152360
41.74
137360
41.38
4
Weeding cost
8750
2.40
8750
2.64
5
Irrigation cost
13125
3.60
13125
3.95
6
Plant protection cost
20000
5.48
15000
4.52
7
Harvesting cost
63000
17.26
63000
18.98
Total cost
364985
100.00 331985
Per cent 6.66
100.00
Yield performance of Bitter gourd and Snake gourd under MI Crop
Bittergourd
Yield (t/ha) Traditional method
Drip fertigation method
Per cent Yield increase(%)
37.5
50
33
60
100
Snake gourd 30
Gains due to Drip fertigation 1. Land
1.
Scope for increasing land area under Micro irrigation
2. Labour
2.
Can be managed with less labour ( family labour)
3. Water
3.
Considerable saving in water and power consumption
4. Seed
4.
Hybrid seeds can be cultivated
5. Income 6. Cost of production
5.
Increase in crop income and yields
6. 7.
Reduction in cost due to input saving In the changing circumstances and eroding resource base, there is overwhelming response from farmers
7. Perception
Comparison of returns in Bitter gourd under Drip fertigation Vs Traditional method Parameter
Method of cultivation Drip fertigation
Traditional
Yield (t/ha)
50
37.5
Establishment of MI system/season
5000
-
Maintenance of MI system
7500
-
Cost of cultivation (Rs/ha)
364985
370125
Total cost of cultivation
377485
370125
Gross income(Rs/ha)
900000
675000
Net income(Rs/ha)
522515
304875
B:C ratio
2.38
1.82
Comparison of returns in Snake gourd under Drip fertigation Vs Traditional method Parameter
Method of cultivation Drip fertigation
Traditional
Yield (t/ha)
60
30
Establishment of MI system/season
5000
-
Maintenance of MI system
7500
-
Cost of cultivation (Rs/ha)
331985
313095
Total cost of cultivation
344485
313095
Gross income(Rs/ha)
720000
360000
Net income(Rs/ha)
375515
46905
B:C ratio
2.09
1.15
Cost economics of Mulching in Bitter gourd Parameter
Method of cultivation Drip fertigation with black LLDPE film
Traditional
Cost of cultivation (Rs/ha)
354985
370125
Cost of mulch film per season
10000
-
Yield of produce(Kg/ha)
50000
37500
Market price(Rs/Kg)
18
18
Revenue(Rs/ha)
900000
675000
Total Expenditure
355985
370125
Net income
544015
304875
B:C ratio
2.53
1.82
Farmer Demonstration plot
Group of farmers on exposure visit to jain irrigation system ,Udumulpet
CONCLUSION
Best Vegetable farmer of the State Facilitative factors Cluster approach Adoption of Hybrid varieties(Maya and Kaumudhi) Assured market support Subsidy for MI system Networking of all stake holders Capacity building programmes-Training,Tours Way forward for Kerala Per capita average holding size is only 0.27 ha so the Technology holds good for the State Considering the labour problem faced in the state MI can be recommended as a financially viable option , where technical feasibility exists.