Watershed management and sustainable land use in semi-arid tropics of India: Impact of the farming community

A watershed management approach combining improved farming practices with soil/water conservation and appropriate land use offers scope for sustainable development of agriculture. The analysis shows a positive impact on land use intensity, cropping pattern, crop yields, human labour utilisation, creation of assets etc. Combined with favourable institutional support, such as credit, subsidies/incentives, and input supply, these measures could substantially contribute towards income objectives of the farmers. However, problems such as a sectoral approach in implementation, lack of different package options in tune with farmer household strategies such as income diversification/stabilisation, and neglect of common property resources hamper the overall gains of watershed management. The successful replication of this capital- intensive technology to other areas necessitates the provision of adequate infrastructural and institutional prerequisites. Farmer participation is a key element for the adoption of management measures.