Andhra Pradesh Farmer Managed Groundwater Systems Project (APFAMGS

79 Pages·2010·2.09 MB·English

FAO-UN BIRDS

Food and Agriculture Organization Bharithi Integrated Rural

of the United Nations Development Society

A ndhra Pradesh Farmer Managed Groundwater Systems Project

(APFAMGS Project)

GCP/IND/175/NET

Terminal Report
June 2010

Technical support Team’s Office,
H.No. 12-13-373, 1st floor, Street No-18, Chakravarthuala Nilayam, Sadashiva Nagar Colony,
Tarnaka, Secunderabad-500 017, A.P. INDIA.
Phone: [phone], Fax: [phone].
Website: http://www.apfamgs.org E-mail: [email protected]
Table of Contents
Table of Contents ii
Abbreviations and acronyms iv

1 Introduction
1.1 Background to the project 01
1.1.1 Groundwater development in Andhra Pradesh 01
1.1.2 Project area 03
1.1.3 Support of the government in project Implementation 05
1.1.4 Integration and coordination with on going government programmes 05
1.2 Outline of official arrangements 06
1.3 Objectives of the project 08
1.3.1 Overall Development Objective 08

2 Project Outputs and Supporting Processes
2.1 Project outputs 10
2.1.1 Hydro-meteorological monitoring network 10
2.1.2 Farmer data collection 10
2.1.3 Community Institutions 11
2.1.4 Gender Participation 12
2.1.5 Community-friendly communication 13
2.1.6 Farmer water schools (FWS) 14
2.1.7 Crop Water Budgeting Workshop 15
2.1.8 Reduction on Groundwater pumping 16
2.1.9 Artificial Groundwater Recharge 18
2.1.10 Farmer Data Management 19
2.1.11 GIS Data Sets and website 20
2.2 Supporting Processes 22
2.2.1 Influencing policies 22
2.2.2 Local Governance 22
2.2.3 Capacity Building of Government Departments 22
2.2.4 Information Dissemination 24
2.2.5 Establishing New Partnerships 25
3 Conclusions and Recommendations 26
3.1 Conclusions 26
3.2 Recommendations 27

ii
Annexes
Annex 1 List of Partner NGOs associated with APFAMGS Project 30
Annex 2 List of PNGO Staff, per 31st August 2009 31
Annex 3 List of Hydro-meteorological Networks established under the project 32
Annex 4 List of equipment/material/assets transferred to HUNs 34
Annex 5 Data sets available per 31st August 2009 35
Annex 6 List of Registered Community Based Organizations (CBOs) 36
Annex 7 Gender balance in the project with reference to key indicators 38
Annex 8 Community Capacity Building activities implemented by the project 39
Annex 9 List of FWS graduates trained by the project 42
Annex 10 Crop Water Budgeting Workshops conducted during the project period 44
Annex 11 Schemes tapped by HUNs for efficient use of irrigation water 46
Annex 12 Area cropped under different crops during the project period 48
Annex 13 Groundwater draft during the project period 49
Annex 14 Static Water Levels in the project area during the project period 51
Annex 15 Results of Artificial Groundwater Recharge interventions of the project 53
Annex 16 Details of the revenue generated by HUNs on data sales and visitors 54
Annex 17 GIS data sets generated by the project 56
Annex 18 Foreign students/visitors to APFAMGS project 65
Annex 19 Capacity building activities conducted by project for agencies within India 66
Annex 20 Frequently Asked Question (Visitors) 69
Annex 21 Frequently Asked Question (Farmers) 70
Annex 22 Publications/presentations and other material produced by APFAMGS 71

iii
Abbreviations & Acronyms
ACIAR Australian Council for International Agriculture Research
AFPRO Action For Food Production
AGR Artificial Groundwater Recharge
ANGRAU Acharya N G Ranga Agriculture University
AP Andhra Pradesh
APFAMGS Andhra Pradesh Farmer Managed Groundwater Systems Project
APSGWD Andhra Pradesh State Groundwater Department
APWAM Andhra Pradesh Water Management Project
APCBTMP Andhra Pradesh Community Based Tank Management Project
BIRDS Bharathi Integrated Rural Development Society
CBOs Community Based Institutions
CADA command area development authority
CARE Centre for Applied Research & Extension
CARVE Collective Activity for Rejuvenation of Village Arts and Environment
CGWB Central Ground Water Board
CHETHANA Network of Several NGOs
CRD Commissioner of Rural Development
CRIDA Central Research Institute for Dry land Agriculture
CWB Crop Water Budgeting
CWE Crop Water Economic
DA Document Assistant
DIPA Development Initiatives and People’s Action
DPD Deputy Project Director
DSGM Demand Side Groundwater Management
DWMA District Water Management Agency
FAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
FAOIN Food and Agriculture Organization -INDIA
FAQ Frequently Asked Question
FFS Farmer Field Schools
HPR Half Yearly Progress
FWS Farmer Water Schools
GF Gender Facilitator
GFAR Global Forum on Agriculture Research
GMC Groundwater Management Committee
GIS Geographical Information System
GOI Government of India
Govt. Gouvernement
GVS Gram Vikas Samstha
GWD Groundwater Department
iv
HF Hydrological Facilitator
HRIS Habitation Resource Information System
HU Hydrologic Unit
HUN Hydrologic Unit Network
HMN Hydrological Monitoring Network
HMR Hydrological Monitoring Records
IAMWARM Irrigated Agriculture Modernization and Water Resources Management
IDF Institutional Development Facilitator
IPM Integrated Pest Management
IWMI International Water Management Institute
MAR Managed Aquifer Recharge
MANAGE National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management
MoWR Ministry of Water Resources
MDO Mandal Development Office
MLA Member of the Legislative Assembly
NABARD National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development
NEX Nationally Executed Projects
NFE Non Formal Education
NFEF Non Formal Education Facilitator
NGO Non Governmental Organization
NGRI National Geophysical Research Institute
OB Office Boy
OB wells Observation wells
PARTNER People’s Activity and Rural Technology Nurturing Ecological Rejuvenation
PHM Participatory Hydrological Monitoring
PNGO Partner NGO
PSC Project Steering Committee
RARS Regional Agriculture Research Stations
RNE Royal Netherlands Embassy
SAFE Society For Sustainable Agriculture And Forest Ecology
SAID Social Awareness for Integrated Development
SYA Star Youth Association
SWL Static Water Level
TOT Training of Trainers
TST Technical Support Team
VC Village Coordinator

v
1. Introduction
1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE PROJECT
1.1.1 Groundwater Development in Andhra Pradesh
Groundwater is a major source of irrigation meeting more than half of all the irrigation needs of the state
of Andhra Pradesh. There are more than 2.2 million wells (open dug wells, shallow infiltration wells, and
deeper bore-wells/tube wells)1. Groundwater is the premier source in the districts not supported by
extensive surface irrigation projects. In such areas, groundwater has come to be the critical input for
much of agriculture development. In the last two decades, Groundwater role specifically in agriculture
development and rural water supply requirements has increased manifold. The critical role played by
groundwater in the areas of food security, health, sanitation has not received the respect it deserves
while its contribution to generation of jobs in the agriculture sector, and its effective role in reducing
migration needs better valuation. Overall contribution of Groundwater to agriculture wealth creation
across the different social strata in Andhra Pradesh is by far more than the surface irrigation sources.

Large parts of the state are covered by hard-rocks where the aquifers are not extensive and controlled
by secondary openings that offer limited discharge. Localized extension of the aquifer combined with
limited yields has led to rapid growth in the number of bore wells in the state over the last three
decades. The current estimates of bore well depths for irrigation shows steady increase from 30m to over
90m and as much as 200m in some areas. While this period has seen a two-fold increase in the area
under groundwater irrigation, with very little public investment in groundwater management, the area
under surface irrigation has not increased over the same period despite substantial investments.

Groundwater development beyond sustainable limits is reported in the districts of Kadapa, Anantapur,
Chittoor, Kurnool, Mahaboobnagar, Nalgonda, Prakasam, Ranga Reddy, Medak, Nizamabad, Karimnagar,
Warangal, Nellore and West Godavari. In all these, area contribution of groundwater to overall food
production is significant. Close to 50% of net irrigated area in Andhra Pradesh State is contributed from
the use of ground water.

Figure 1: Progress in groundwater and surface water irrigated area in Andhra Pradesh, 1978–2008

1 Overcoming Droughts, Adaptation Strategies for Andhra Pradesh, India, 2006 The International Bank for
Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank.

Terminal Report 1
Disproportionate increase in area under groundwater irrigation at a time when steep decline in areas
under canal and tank irrigation is witnessed, has led to stagnation in the net food production2.

Over exploitation of groundwater is leading to steep decline in groundwater levels and failure of wells in
39% of the micro-drainage basins in the state. The initiative of the state Government in altering this
situation is through an ambitious program referred to as “Jala Yagnam” which involves completion of 30
major and 18 medium irrigation projects at a cost of US$ 920 million, for creating an additional irrigation
in 3 million ha3. Provision of water from major irrigation projects is largely for areas that show no major
groundwater over pumping. Thus, large areas that show groundwater distress will continue to show
declines in groundwater levels and failure of wells. In spite of the construction of major projects more
farmers are investing in new wells, which is a cause for concern. The steady rise in the groundwater-
irrigated area is largely from private funds. The desire to acquire full control over the irrigation water will
only encourage further development of groundwater leading to a situation that would affect the overall
food production while significantly affecting the rural drinking water supply/sanitation and increasing the
vulnerability of several million farmers fully dependent on groundwater irrigation.

Steep decline in groundwater levels is a serious human development and economic issue that needs to
be addressed by all and not by technologists alone. Legislative interventions have serious shortcoming
because of the sheer number of groundwater users and policing all is impossible. The best option is
through building partnerships with the groundwater users. Recognizing the critical link between food
production and groundwater use Andhra Pradesh Farmer Managed Groundwater Systems (APFAMGS)
project worked on evolving an alternative model that encourage active involvement of local communities
in data collection, capacity building and improved management of the available groundwater resources.
APFAMGS project is implemented by a network of Non Governmental Organization with the support of
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN).

The basic assumption around which APFAMGS is designed is that sustainable management of
groundwater is feasible only if groundwater users understand the nature of its occurrence and the
various parameters influencing the hydrologic cycle, which in turn will put them in a position to favorably
alter the cycle at the individual farm/community level. In order to achieve this, the project has adopted
an approach aimed at demystifying the science of groundwater by translating the scientific concepts of
hydrogeology and groundwater management and making them accessible to groundwater users with or
without literacy skills. The education is participatory and emphasizes non-formal modes of learning.

APFAMGS project initiated in 2004 has successfully demonstrated that through involvement of
community through improved knowledge, behavioral change can be brought about. Enlightened
communities adopt voluntary self-regulation, leading to reduced groundwater pumping and improved
water use efficiency. In seven drought-prone districts of Andhra Pradesh, thousands of farmers residing
in 638 habitations spread over several hundred kilometers are voluntarily taking number of steps to
reduce groundwater pumping, for tiding over problem of groundwater depletion. APFAMGS project is a
partnership with farmers for implementing Demand Side Groundwater Management (DSGM) concept.

2 Andhra Pradesh State Groundwater Department – Status of Groundwater in Andhra Pradesh, Presentation at the
world Bank conference on Groundwater Management in India, New Delhi- April 2009

3 Government of Andhra Pradesh, Annual Report of Irrigation Department 2006.
2                         Terminal Report
APFAMGS project by its design partners with NGO’s to mobilize the huge untapped potential of several
thousand individual groundwater users to access knowledge and skills to collectively improve
groundwater use efficiency and manage the crisis to the local groundwater system. The farmers
collective through field level innovations are able to reduce groundwater use while at the same time
generate increased wealth.

APFAMGS is a Nationally Executed (NEX) project through a network of NGOs, under the close support
and supervision of FAO India (FAOIN), New Delhi and technical backstopping of FAO Head Quarters (at
Rome). Bharathi Integrated Rural Development Society (BIRDS) signed the contract with FAO and acts
as the Nodal NGO for the project implementation.

Overall, administrative responsibility of the project is with the Nodal organization BIRDS. All funds from
the donor are received by the Nodal NGO and in turn are transferred to eight NGOs and Consultants
through an agreed work-plan. The NGO’s in turn release funds to the 58 registered farmer institutions
Hydrologic Unit Network (HUN) for implementing the program at the ground level. APFAMGS is probably
only project of its kind in enabling FAO funds to reach the hands of the community and use it on their
own for building local knowledge and capacities. Through such an effort, FAO has enabled not only better
management of groundwater resources but also addressed one of the main objectives of FAO- ensuring
improved food and nutrition security.

1.1.2 Project Area
APFAMGS project implementation spread over seven drought prone districts of Andhra Pradesh is
underlain by hard rock aquifers. The project area selection is guided by technical criteria related to areas
subjected to groundwater over-development as per the reports of Government of India4, Government of
Andhra Pradesh along with due consideration of socio economic status. The project accomplishment is in
638 habitations falling under 63 Hydrological Units. All the groundwater issues in the project operational
area are addressed under the institutional framework irrespective of economic status, caste, creed and
religion. While the project does not offer any incentives for participation in the program or for taking
tough decisions, the project partners with various government agencies for facilitating linkage with
various government schemes.

In the selection of project area, the focus is in identifying the right areas where the problem of
groundwater depletion and consequent impact on food production and over all agriculture is acute. The
project objective of empowerment of community with knowledge and skills to manage groundwater
distress requires the presence of very active village level organizations that have long experience in
dealing with the community.

To ensure sustainability and replicability of the project beyond the operational area, the focus is on
building/strengthening local institutions. The institutionalization of the project helps in decentralization,
encourages larger participation, increases local innovations and governance, reduces overheads and
enables larger reach.

4 Central Ground Water Board. 2006. Dynamic Groundwater Resources of India (as on March 2004). New Delhi:
Government of India, Ministry of Water Resources.

Terminal Report 3
Capacity building is the focus, enabled largely through Farmer Water School (FWS), Farmer Field Schools
(FFS) and training activities. Use of Non Formal Education (NFE) Tools in the capacity building activities
enables demystification of science and easy understanding across the population. (The list of trainings
enclosed in Annexure 5)

Project implementation is through partnership with stakeholders. Hydrological data collection by farmer
volunteers across the project generates valuable data that has technical acceptability by researchers,
government officials and planners. The scientific community is now acknowledging the scientific value for
the farmer-collected data. The data is sold to number of research stations and funding agencies.

Participatory Hydrological Monitoring (PHM) and Crop Water Budgeting (CWB) are the two important
processes that helps guide the farmers to change their groundwater management practices. Village level
institution Groundwater Management Committee (GMC) and the Hydrologic Unit Network (HUN) level
institution that is a federation of GMC’s, help consider groundwater as a community resource and the
need to look beyond the self-centered benefits. The project has organized 638 GMC’s while 63 HUN’s
have been registered to take over data collection, analysis and management for ensuring sustainable
groundwater management.

Figure 2: Map showing the APFAMGS project operational area
4                         Terminal Report
1.1.3 Support of Government in Project Implementation
FAO-APFAMGS project continues to receive pro-active support at the project implementation level from
various government agencies. The project has linkages with as many as 70 government programs at the
field level which helps in the mobilization of funds to the tune of 147 million rupees ( around 3 million
US$) for supporting field infrastructure related to groundwater, land, soil, pest and crop management. At
the program management and policy level, the project has close links with number of departments.

Government of India (GOI), Ministry of Water Resources (MOWR) is up-dated periodically on the various
activities and achievements at the project. MOWR has written to the various State Governments on the
success of APFAMGS project with an advice to replicate the methodology in the respective states for
capacity building and empowerment of community with knowledge and skills to manage ground water
distress.

Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) is planning to work in partnership with community in the areas of
Groundwater Management and related knowledge sharing on real-time basis with stakeholders. Towards
achieving this objective, it is keen to learn from FAO-APFAMGS experience of involving community in
data collection, analysis, interpretation, dissemination and decision-making.

Government of Andhra Pradesh Department of Rural Development has stated its support to HU concept
of APFAMGS by recommending this approach in the implementation of New Watershed Development
Projects. Rural Development department has invited APFAMGS to be part of its advisory board in the
design and implementation of watershed programs.

Department of Irrigation has identified the APFAMGS model of institution strengthening and capacity
building of community with new knowledge and skills in the implementation of its program Andhra
Pradesh Community Based Tank Management program in 21 districts of the state.

Government of Rajasthan has requested FAO to work in partnership with the State Government in
developing an action plan for community management of groundwater. Rajasthan State is enthusiastic
to implement the scheme across the state and is keen to send its officers and farmers to APFAMGS
project for training and exposure.

Government agencies from the state of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Orissa, and Rajasthan
continue to depute its officers and farmers to APFAMGS project for training on Community led
Groundwater Management.

1.1.4 Integration and Coordination With on Going Government Programs
APFAMGS project design offers scope for close linkages with various programs of Government of India
and Government of Andhra Pradesh with the aim to capture synergies in the implementation of
Community led Groundwater Management. As an outcome to this approach, APFAMGS regularly
interacts with various agencies including Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), Central Research
Institute for Dry land Agriculture Research (CRIDA), National Geo-physical Research Institute (NGRI),
International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and participates in technical workshops, discussions
and programs.

At the State, level APFAMGS project has close working relationship with the Department of Rural
development, Department of Irrigation, Groundwater Department, and Acharya NG Ranga Agriculture
University (ANGRAU). The PNGO’s implementing the program has close linkages with all line
Terminal Report 5