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Fishery - A Livelihood Generating Case Study of Panchamal District
Introduction
The Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) came under implementation in Gujarat since 2008. The Gujarat State Watershed Management Agency (GSWMA) serves as a State Level Nodal Agency (SLNA) to undertake the IWMP in the state. One of the main objectives of project is promoting eco friendly and locally suitable activities with the required capacity building of the stakeholders. Other important aspect of that is the activities planned under the project have to be demand driven and need based with active participation of community members.Background
The IWMP-8 project is sanctioned under the batch-2 projects of the state in the year of 2010-11. The project area lies under the Kadana Taluka of the district of Panchmahal. District Watershed Development Unit is the Project Implementation Agency (PIA) for this project.Project Area
The IWMP-8 project area is located in South West side of the Kadana taluka; Panchmahal district, Gujarat state. The project consists of total sixteen villages and has a Geographical area of 6225.41 ha, of which 150.35 ha has been covered under Watershed –Hariyali Project hence the remaining area of 6180.74 ha is covered under Integrated Watershed management Programme.Socio Economic
The total population of IWMP-8 project area is 9871. Majority of the population belong to Scheduled Caste (75.25%). The literacy rate is 47.75% and among them the female literacy rate is 33.28%. The people depend on Agricultural and animal husbandry for livelihood and income generation. During lean season people migrate to nearby cities for casual labour. This migration period lasts for 3 months .Out of the total 1903 households 967 are under Below Poverty Line (BPL).The whole population of Pandorini Andhari village belong to Scheduled tribe and out of total 28 households 15 belong to BPL. People involved in Agricultural related activities along with animal husbandry. The agricultural practices are purely traditional and the seeds used are local variety. The major crops are Maize and Paddy. Crops are practiced only in 2 seasons. Due to water scarcity only 60% agricultural area is available for cultivation of 2nd crop.
The first step towards change
The Project villages are located nearby Kadana dam. The adjacent villages depend on the dam for income generation through fishery. They use their own boats and equipments to indulge in the activity. Previously, the members either had to wait to get a chance for vacant boat or else they had to catch fish on the shores using fishing rod. They used to get very less catch and the size of the fish is also not that big to fetch good prices. Many at times they had to leave their villages and migrate to near cities in search for employment. Many of them used to work as daily labour in nearby cities in lean seasons.The Intervention
The livelihood activities are identified and selected under the livelihood component of the project. This exercise is done through the standard process in the preparation of DPR as per the operational guidelines. In the operational guidelines it has mentioned that the preference has to be given for activities that are especially targeted towards asset-less families including land less, small and marginal farmers. This objective is achieved by organizing the deprived people and formation of their Self Help Group (SHGs). |
| Fig. 1: Members of Jai Mahinadhi Men Self Help Group |
Shri. Pador Shaileshbhai Khatrabhai is the president and Shri.Bhivabhai Khatrabhai is the cashier/secretary of the 10 member SHG group. All the members belong to the Scheduled Tribes (ST).
Table No: 1 Member details
Name of SHG Member
|
|
Pandor Shaileshbhai Khatrabhai
|
Pandor Bharatbhai Koyabhai
|
Pandor Jivabhai Khatrabhai
|
Pandor Rameshbhai Koyabhai
|
Pandor Parvatbhai Khatrabhai
|
Pandor Nathabhai Hirabhai
|
Pandor Koyabhai Somabhai
|
Pandor Dayabhai Nathabhai
|
Pandor Parvatbhai Koyabhai
|
Pandor Jashvantbhai Rupabhai
|
The SHG has registered and the bank account has opened in Bank of Baroda. They started regular savings with a contribution of Rs. 30 per month per person and developed the habit internal loaning. Until the end of November, 2013 the group has successfully saved Rs. 6000 and an amount of Rs. 3000 has been used in the internal loaning. The regular meetings of SHG, assisted by the Watershed development Team (WDT) of District Watershed Development Unit (DWDU), helped to facilitate proper understanding and establish rapport among themselves. The SHG approach helped the under privileged to build their self-confidence and internal financial support through the internal loaning in emergencies. Interaction in group meetings and collective decision making enables them in identification and prioritization of their needs and resources.
The components provided to the SHG as the part of IWMP activity are listed out in the table below
Table No:2 Estimate of Activity
No.
|
Item
|
Unit
|
Price/unit
(Rs.)
|
Total cost
(Rs.)
|
1
|
Boat
|
3
|
15000
|
45000/-
|
2
|
Fish catching
net
|
5
|
5000
|
25000/-
|
Total
|
70,000/-
|
|||
The boats they received under IWMP have greatly increased their capacity. Everyday two or three members use a single boat to catch fish. The table mentioned below, explains the average income received by the members of the SHG members in every month since the items received from the IWMP. Hence the average catch of individual/per day is two to three kilograms and the average income received is Rs.200.
Table No:3 Details about the Catch and Income Generated per Boat
Month
|
Catch(Kg/Month)
|
Avg. Price/Kg
|
Income (Rs.)
|
April
|
130
|
80
|
10400
|
May
|
120
|
80
|
9600
|
June
|
130
|
80
|
10400
|
July
|
60
|
80
|
4800
|
August
|
70
|
90
|
6300
|
September
|
50
|
90
|
4500
|
October
|
150
|
90
|
13500
|
November
|
170
|
90
|
15300
|
Total
|
880
|
74800
|
The average catch varied from month to month and so is their income. The catch is especially low in the months of July, August and September, because of monsoon. But the change is clearly visible in their income. Since the fishing activity requires less labour and time these people can indulge in regular agricultural related work and other works in the village during day time. Hence now they are able to generate sustainable income that can support themselves and their family.
 |
| Fig. 2: Men in action – Men Laying net |
Way Forward
The group has plans to upgrade the quality of fishing equipments and tools from the regular savings they make. The periodic maintenance and related expenses are met from the savings they make. As per their own estimation they will able to add 2 more boats to their credit by next year.Contributor: Kiran.K.P (Technical Expert, Panchmahal), Damor Laxmanbhai Maganbhai (WDT-Community Mobilizer), DWDU Panchmahal
Restoring Drinking Water supply in Chirapada Village of THE DANGs
Water security has been defined as "the reliable availability of an acceptable quantity and quality of water for health, livelihoods and production, coupled with an acceptable level of water-related risks." Sustainable development will not be achieved without water. Safe drinking water is essential to humans and other life forms even though it provides no calories or organic nutrients. Water covers 71% of the Earth's surface, and is vital for all known forms of life. Only 2.5% of the Earth's water is freshwater, and 98.8% of that water is in ice and groundwater. Less than 0.3% of all freshwater is in rivers, lakes, and the atmosphere, and an even smaller amount of the Earth's freshwater (0.003%) is contained within biological bodies and manufactured products. Water security also means addressing environmental protection and the negative effects of poor management. It is also concerned with ending fragmented responsibility for water and integrating water resources management across all sectors – finance, planning, agriculture, energy, tourism, industry, education and health. A water secure world reduces poverty, advances education, and increases living standards.
Background
The Dangs is a tribal district, of South Zone in Gujarat District. It is called as the Cherapunji of Gujarat. The district receives an annual average rainfall of about 2373 mm. The rainfall is spread over a period of about 90 days. The importance of water as a catalyst for the development of the Dangs cannot be understated. Almost 85 % of the population is dependent on agriculture for their livelihood, which makes this part of the population even more dependent on water. Even though the Dangs has a high annual rainfall (2200 mm) compared with the average rainfall of the whole of Gujarat (852.68mm), both drinking water and water for irrigation is scarce. Hilly terrain and lack of adequate recharge mechanisms are the main reasons for this water scarcity. The drinking water scenario in the Dangs is on a critical juncture. The drinking water supply system (centralised supply, hand pumps and open wells) and the (ground) water availability are not in balance. The unsustainable use of ground water along with the undulated land and lack of any recharging mechanism has led to faster ground water depletion than recharging. There is hardly any rainfall runoff entering from any adjoining areas to the Dangs. Further there is no transfer possible for groundwater from one basin to another. The entire rainfall receipt is drained out of the district only from two outlets: one near Waghai for the Ambika-Khapri river drainage and another near Bhenskhatri for the Purna-Gira river drainage.
Likewise, in IWMP-6- Shamgahan Project, Chirapada is one of the village situated in The Dangs. The village receives ample amount of rain during rainy season and the main sources for drinking water supply are 2 open wells & 13 hand pumps. After the recession of rainy season the villagers endure problem of drinking water. They had to walk around 5 to 6 km to fetch drinking water. Sometimes they have to pay for availing drinking water during dry season. The Water and Sanitation Management Organisation (WASMO) had constructed one water tank and made the connection of drinking water pipe line to each & every household. Even after that there was problem of drinking water as the source (well) used to dried-up during months of February-March. During lean season the animals were also taken far away for getting drinking water. Although drinking water problem is not directly related to the family expenditure of the household but it has a huge opportunity cost incurred during travelling for bringing water for human and animals.
Intervention through IWMP:-
After doing survey & brief discussion with villagers an abandoned well was identified for renovation in EPA work. According to the villagers the well contains water for almost 12 months. Since that well was in a dreadful condition it was not used by the villagers. So the work of repairing the well with pipe line connection to the tank constructed under WASMO and a submersible pump for lifting water to the tank were taken under EPA. During EPA the well has been repaired & pipe line connection from well to WASMO tank has been done. A submersible motor was placed in the well. The cost of the activity was Rs 2.459 lakh under IWMP (GPS location N 20º38’50.3" E 073º42’20.9”). For proper functioning of the activity Village Watershed Committee (VWC) has taken a major initiative for providing electric connection to the pump by mentioning the work in the Gram Sabha resolution. Hence the cost of distribution of water is provided by Government under Gujarat Electricity Board (GEB).
An animal trough was also constructed for providing drinking water to animals under EPA.
 |
| Fig. 1: Well under construction |
 |
| Fig. 2: Well fully constructed |
 |
| Fig. 3: Pipeline connection from tank to well |
Effect of work:-
Now the system is fully functional and nearly 800 households are getting drinking water at their doorstep. The well which is selected for supply of water to the tank is a perennial source of water thus the problem of drinking water has been solved permanently. Animal water trough has also been found very useful by reducing the travel time of animals in search of water.
Future Planning:-
After successful implementation of this work, the Village Watershed Committee are planning to built small check walls at upper catchment of this well to facilitate recharge. This will ensure continuous drinking water supply even in drought years. The VWC is also working with the Gram Panchayat for regular repair and maintenance of the structures.
Contributor:-
Miss Priya A. Kadam (Technical Expert, Dang)
Jiteshkumar Somabhai Patel (WDT Er.)
Impacts on Agriculture by Soil Moisture Conservation - A Case of Porbandar District
Water is one of the nature's most important gifts to mankind. The availability of water is vital for all known forms of life. The major source of water is rain and it is erratic and problem of water availability and scarcity is increasing; hence of excess use of ground water. Cultivation of agricultural crops is dependent upon water availability in winter and summer so conservation of maximum amount of water is a big challenge. To save the monsoon water and make it useful for agricultural practices various Soil Moisture Conservation activities are been implemented in Porbandar district by DWDU Porbandar.
Kasabad cluster (IWMP-3) in kutiyana taluka covers eight villages. Majority of the villages are under Ghed area of the district. Ghed area is unique as entire area is covered by excess monsoon water drained from nearby catchment area. During Kharif season cropping is not possible due to flooding and submergence. Farmer’s takes only Rabi crops like gram, ground nut, wheat and jowar but available water is insufficient. The quality of the water is very poor due to high salinity inhibited in the soil. Need of reliable sources of good quality water plays an important role in yield and quality of produces. The main sources of support irrigation in this region are ponds and check dams.
 |
| Fig.1: Pond Development at Dharshan village of IWMP-3 |
Items
|
Cotton
|
Ground
nut
|
Area covered under agriculture
around pond by 25 no. farmers (in Ha)
|
10
|
15
|
Approx. Production based on purely
rainfed agriculture (In Tonne/Ha)
|
1.25
|
1.5
|
Total production
|
12.5
|
22.5
|
Approx. Increase in production
(Tonne/Ha) (If support irrigation is available from pond)
|
0.1875
|
0.15
|
Total production (In Tonne)
|
14.375
|
24.75
|
Difference of Production (Tonne)
|
1.875
|
2.25
|
Avg. Market Rate in Rupees
|
1000/20
kg
|
600/20
kg
|
Increase in earnings (in rupees)
|
93750.00
|
67,500.00
|
Total earning (in rupees)
|
1,61,250.00
|
|
 |
| Fig 2: WDT members are explaining regarding impacts of the activity |
- Solanki Samat bhai Jehabhai said “ Last year I lost 2 ha of land near the pond and lost Pea crops in Rabi season due to lack of support irrigation. This year I expect a good yield as water availability is increased after pond development”
- Mer Parbatbhai Ranabhai said “I had been growing pea in Rabi season for last few years. But due to water conservation measures I am also cultivating cotton and groundnut with pea to get better earning”
Contributors: Kiran Balas (Technical Expert, Porbandar), Kanu Baldaniya (Technical Expert, Porbandar), Aswinbhai A Odedara (President VWC)
Integration of approach with MGNREGA - A case of Tapi District (IWMP)
Basic information of the project area: Amaniya village is located in Vyara Taluka of Tapi District. Total population of the Amaniya village is around 496, alongwith total households are 232. The sex ratio is 836 out of 1000 males. The total geographical area of village is 353.10 Ha out of which 300.00 ha area was treated under this project. The village has Black cotton sandy soil in their agricultural land of 141.60 Ha. The average soil depth is 1-3 meters with 50% hilly area.
The village comes under Batch 1 project of DWDU-Tapi, IWMP -2 (Dhamandevi). The batch 1 projects of IWMP are sanctioned in the FY 2009-10. It is mainly a tribal village and thus traditional agriculture is in practice in the village. The Project Implementing Agency (PIA) for this project is Vyara forest division.
Problem Analysis
Prior to the implementation of the project, indigenous cultivation practices were practiced by the villagers. 15-20% of the agricultural land in the village is covered by irrigation facilities and the ground water strata of the village is very low, thus during the Zaid crop all the secondary sources of irrigation such as bore well and open well dries up. The farmers take Kharif crop and very less Rabi crop. The main crops in the area are Paddy, Pigeon Pea, Okra etc. and their yield was very low in accordance to their potential yield. Moreover the farmers uses indigenous seed for the crop they cultivate.
Before the intervention in the project area soil erosion was an acute problem in the village due to its hilly terrain and with more than 6% of average slope. Most of the rain water flows from the hilly regions of Dang District.
Before the intervention in the project area soil erosion was an acute problem in the village due to its hilly terrain and with more than 6% of average slope. Most of the rain water flows from the hilly regions of Dang District.
Intervention
Due to the acute problem of soil erosion and water scarcity in non-monsoon season there was and need to build up water harvesting structures in the village and thus with the participation of the villagers and according to the DPR a checkdam was constructed at forest cover, compartment no 323 (Survey No). The site is located at 3 km away from Purna River towards north forest area. The checkdam was constructed in convergence with MGNREGA. The total cost of construction for the checkdam is Rs. 3.33 lakhs totally funded under MGNREGA.
“The convergence in the construction of the checkdam with MGNREGA has also generated local employment for the village benefitting the villagers. This work was also appreciated by Karnataka Watershed team during their visit to TAPI district.”
The storage capacity of the check dam constructed is of 2700 CMT it affects the water table of the nearby wells of the following:
Sr. no.
|
Name of beneficiary
|
Community
|
Survey no.
|
1
|
Janubhai malubhai kokani
|
ST
|
08
|
2
|
Sanjaybhai mohanbhai gamit
|
ST
|
07
|
3
|
Rameshbhai gamanbhai gamit
|
ST
|
23
|
4
|
Shantaben mohanbhai
|
ST
|
15
|
5
|
Gov. Gauchar land(patal kuva)
|
By looking into the benefits of the water storage village watershed committee had decided for more and more plantation of TKB and bamboo in the area. Now, people have realized that ponds, check dams, afforestation and Nala bund plays an important role for water harvesting.
 |
| Fig. 1: Labour involved in Check Dam Construction |
 |
| Fig. 2: Labour involved in Check Dam Construction |
 |
| Fig. 3: Karnataka Watershed Team visited during work-in-progress |
 |
| Fig. 4: Checkdam under convergence with MGNREGA, IWMP2 Dhamandevi, Cost: 3.33 lakhs |
Details of irrigated area through this Checkdam and name of beneficiary:
Sr. no.
|
Name of benefitted farmers
|
Community
|
Irrigated Area ( Ha.)
|
1
|
Shanta ben mohanbhai
|
ST
|
1.20 ha.
|
2
|
Teru ben jamnabhai
|
ST
|
1.35 ha.
|
3
|
Ullubhai jamnabhai
|
ST
|
1.45 ha
|
4
|
Khalpa bahi Rangabhai
|
ST
|
1.50 ha
|
5
|
Uliyabhai ranga bhai
|
ST
|
2.3 ha.
|
6
|
Ganga ben gaman bhai
|
ST
|
2.05 ha
|
7
|
Kantibhai janla bahi
|
ST
|
1.70 ha.
|
8
|
Rangubhai gaman bhai
|
ST
|
1.2 ha
|
9
|
Randu bhai
mahrubhai
|
ST
|
2.1 ha.
|
10
|
Manabhai Randubhai
|
ST
|
1.3 ha.
|
Total
|
16.15 Ha
|
||
Impacts of the Interventions:
- A check to soil erosion: With the construction of the check dam the high erosion in the area has been checked and thus it also slows down the speed of the runoff water.
- Ground water table recharge: Due to Construction of the checkdam the water harvested will recharge the ground water and thus will affect the underground water table.
- Increase in irrigation potential: By construction of Check dam in the project area it harvests more water. So, if water is readily available for farmers will help for irrigation purpose. This will also increase the cropping period of the crop.
- Net increase in crop production :Due to the effect of availability of irrigation, the crops is getting adequate water for their irrigation and thus in the given area with the same variety of crop the production per ha. has increased to a remarkable note.
Contributors: Mr. Hemant Gaikwad (Technical Expert, Tapi), Mr. Haresh Sardhara (Technical Expert, Tapi), Mr. Prashant Patel (WDT-Er.), DWDU Tapi
Vegetables Cultivation in Tribal Areas in Vadodara
Green Houses are friendly for plant growth as they have great control over the environment favorable for plant growth. Green Houses are effective in growing off-season vegetables, flowers, fruits, planting material acclimatization, plant breeding and transplants. It is more effective in certain crops like Tomatoes, Chilli and Brinjals etc. The controlled environment also helps to extend the cropping season for most of the crops thereby it increases the farmers income.
“Main objective of watershed project is to increase the income of the stake holder but it is also equally important to transfer the best known practices to the village level.”
Why Green house in watershed project?
As per the current guidelines, integration is on the forefront as mentioned above, thus Agriculture productivity and crop diversity has been taken up seriously to have the following effect:
a. Less water and labour requirement.
b. Higher yield compare to traditional cultivation.
c. Trend towards pesticide-free produce in the market.
2. Increase in Income
a. Market Demand for exotic vegetables, flowers.
3. Business
a. Growing agricultural market segment.
DWDU Vadodara Intervention:
Bandi Village of Pavi jetpur taluka is covered under IWMP-1 project village of Vadodara district. Indigenous cropping pattern was in practice in the village and thus there was an immense demand for the exotic vegetables in the local market. DWDU-Vadodara under its livelihood intervention identified a User Group in the Bandi Village who mostly grew maize as their crop. As a part of their intervention DWDU-Vadodara presented a demonstration on the potential of net house in their village and the user group readily accepted the concept. The net-house (size is 100 sq.m.) constructed in survey no-47/1 & the name of User Group chairman is Rathwa Kishanbhai Salubhai. They used the net house for growing vegetable seedlings of Tomato (Aviskar, Abhinav), Brinjal (Neelam) and Chilli (Garima). Total cost for the installation of the net house is Rs. 60,000/- which was covered under the Livelihood component of the project. The selling of the seedlings is done in the nearby villages within a range of 10-15 km radius.
 |  |
| Fig.1 : Selling of Seedlings | Fig.2 : Green House |
Cultivation Pattern of the UG:
No. of Beds: 10
Bed Size: 1mtr.
Vegetables: Tomato (var.Aviskar F1 hybrid & Abhinav F1 hybrid), Chilli (var.Garima & Sitara hybrid hot peeper), Brinjal (Chhaya F1 hybrid & MEBH 39)
Economics of Vegetable Production:
| Particulars | Chilli | Tomato | Brinjal | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Costing | ||||
| Seed required (no. of Packets) | 2 | 8 | 1 | 11 |
| Cost Per Packet (in Rs.) | 400 | 800 | 200 | 1400 |
| Total Cost [A] | 800 | 6400 | 200 | 7400 |
| Seedlings Production | ||||
| Total Production | 3500 | 12000 | 1500 | 17000 |
| (-) Self consumption | 1000 | 5000 | 400 | 6400 |
| Seedlings for Sale | 2500 | 7000 | 1100 | 10600 |
| Price per seedlings (in Rs.) | 1.4 | 2.8 | 1.3 | - |
| Total Earnings (in Rs.) [B] | 3500 | 20000 | 1500 | 25000 |
| Profit [B-A] | 2700 | 13600 | 1300 | 17600 |
| CB Ratio | 2.38 | |||
Note: As per the above data through net-house within only 1.5 month the UG earned a profit of Rs.17, 600/-, which is a great success in current modern agriculture business.
Impacts of the Interventions:
- Increase in Profit potential: Total crop yield period of one season in net house is 45-50 days. The profit of UG increased twice in the first season.
- Market profitability: Marketing is a big problem in tribal areas. But due to high demand of seedling, beneficiaries came to the UG for procuring seedlings. Thus, marketing was not a big issue in this case.
- High Quality products: Net House cultivation has less disease attack and requires less fertilization to the crops, thus quality products are produced by the UG.
- Availability of off seasons vegetables: Through net house climatic conditioned can be controlled easily and water use efficiency also increased. So off season vegetables can be grown through this and can get more benefits.
Contributors: Mrs. Rekha Kumari Gupta (Technical Expert, Vadodara), Mr. Sashi (WDT-Agri, Vadodara), DWDU Vadodara