Study of existing farming system of small and marginal farmers of watershed project area and its scope for improvement

Abstract

Most important factor of success of any program carried out by government is dependent on people participation. Sensitization of rural people about watershed programs is must in order to ensure their participation in the program. In India majority of farmers are small and marginal hence the focus of this study was on small and marginal farmers of watershed project area only. Primary occupation of the people in the study area is agriculture and secondary occupation is animal husbandry. To bring rural peoples’ participation it is important to know how watershed programs are related to them. Study characterizes different dimensions on which factors’ affecting farming system was identified. Complete schedule from was prepared after doing pilot survey. Model of farming system was prepared with defined scale envisaging all important factors affecting farming system. At households level questionnaire was filled. PRA (Participatory Rural Appraisal) and focus group discussion was organized in village. Interaction with different stakeholders of watershed program was done to identify resource person for grass root implementation of projects. Data collected was analyzed to bring out the status of small and marginal farmers compared to the large farmers. Smalls and marginal farmers are victimized by gamut of calamities from natural to man made. They are dependent on others for almost everything. There is wide gap of information and knowledge. Usecase diagram of different actors responsible for disseminating information is prepared. Complete financial feasibility was checked according to the grant available at cluster level. Integrated Watershed Management Program can bring self sufficiency among small and marginal farmers as these program and sustainable aims at holistic and sustainable development.