Abstract:
In India, semi arid areas are characterized by low and variable rainfall, low productivity, degraded natural resources and extensive poverty. In these areas, green revolution had created little impact, where 50 percent of the rural population depends on agriculture for their livelihood (Kerr, 2001) Recurrent droughts coupled with reduction in number of rainy days, uncertainty of rainfall and its ill distribution are affecting surface and ground water resource availability for irrigation and potable purposes. Further, rural people are facing the predicament of acute water scarcity not only for agriculture but also for livestock and domestic needs. In response, there has been alarming increase in private and public investment on wells for irrigation and drinking water needs leading to overexploitation of groundwater. Hence, it is imperative to conserve rainwater in order to sustain not only rainfed agriculture but also groundwater-irrigated agriculture. The creation of water harvesting structures in a watershed for artificial groundwater recharge entails lumpy investments, which needs to be evaluated for their cost effectiveness and social benefits. These structures for surface storage and groundwater recharge offer scarcity value for water and improve access to surface water and groundwater for rural people. Restoration of groundwater through these structures facilitates conservation and management of groundwater ensuring drinking water and sustaining agricultural production. Thus, it is imperative to evaluate the relative economics of different water harvesting structures on improving groundwater recharge and associated benefits of improved agricultural productivity, resource sustainability and livelihood security of the farming community in the watersheds.
