IWMI-Tata water policy research programme is a collaborative initiative between the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and the Sir Ratan Tata Trust (SRTT).
2012 is the decadal year of this partnership, and so the right time to present the work done so far and explore what needs to be done further. This discussion around the work done as part of the programme, will be held during the IWMI-Tata Annual Partner's Meet (ITP-APM) in Anand, Gujarat.
IWMI-Tata policy research program annual partners’ meet: Pre-publication discussion papers and highlights
These discussions will be based on approximately 200 research studies undertaken.Water policy highlights are pre-publication briefs developed primarily for this discussion. These are being presented on the ITP-APM blog created for this purpose.
This article presents some highlights from and comments on the IWMI-TATA 10-year water policy research programme.
Brief summaries of the highlights from the 2012 IWMI-Tata water policy research programme are given below. These will be added to as they become available.
Cities as irrigation systems
Cities as irrigation systems: An Indian scenario
From small farmers towards prosperous farmers: Four case studies from Gujarat
The 2010 Rajasthan state water policy and the urbanization of water
Mapping the hydrological Processes in a community-reconfigured river basin: Some conceptual issues and results from a simple dry run
Mapping the hydrological Processes in a community-reconfigured river basin
Read the ITP-APM summary here.
Role of decentralized rainwater harvesting and artificial recharge in reversal of groundwater depletion in the arid and semi-arid regions of Gujarat, India
How do small farmers become prosperous? Some observations and questions
How do small farmers become prosperous?
Read the ITP-APM summary here.
Assessing the agrarian impact of decentralized water harvesting at the basin scale: A discussion on methodology
Impact of metering of tube wells on groundwater use in West Bengal
Impact of metering of tube wells on groundwater use in West Bengal
Read the ITP-APM summary here.
Situational analysis of WUAs in Maharashtra
Experience of Sir Dorabji Tata Trust and the Allied Trusts in Promoting System of Rice Intensification (SRI): What the results indicate
Experience of Sir Dorabji Tata Trust and the Allied Trusts in Promoting System of Rice Intensification (SRI)
Micro-irrigation subsidies in Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh: Implications for market dynamics and growth
Beyond digging and filling holes: Lessons from case studies of best-performing MGNREGA water assets
Strategies of sustainable nutrition to address fluorosis and malnutrition in children
Strategies of sustainable nutrition to address fluorosis
Hydro, hydrogeological constraints to managed aquifer recharge in the Indo Gangetic plains
Safe water and nutritional improvements: Opportunities for long-term health advancements
Safe water and nutritional improvements
Rural electrification for a second green revolution in West Bengal
Andhra Pradesh Farmer Managed Groundwater Systems (APFAMGS): A reality check
Andhra Pradesh Farmer Managed Groundwater Systems (APFAMGS): A reality check
Managing energy-irrigation nexus in India
Solar irrigation pumps: The Rajasthan experience
Solar irrigation pumps: The Rajasthan experience
A review of international experience in managing energy irrigation nexus
Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority: An Assessment
Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority: An Assessment
This paper analyses the functioning of the Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority (MWRRA) against its stated objectives by analysing the impacts in WUAs in Waghdad and Kukdi. It postulates that while the MWRRA has fulfilled its tarriffs functions, it has not fully realised its potential. The conjunctive use of groundwater is a major factor in water consumption in command areas. This is not acknowledged in the present system. With governance moving away from the project area, uncertainity is also increasing.
Read the ITP-APM summary here.
Efficacy of employment generation programs in providing water security: An assessment of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) in Madhya Pradesh
Read the ITP-APM summary here.
Chasing the paper trail in an irrigation system: Guidance for third party verification for the release of incentives under the national irrigation management fund
Read the ITP-APM summary here.
Wastewater irrigation in Gujarat: An exploratory study
Wastewater irrigation in Gujarat: An exploratory study
Agricultural growth and rural dynamism: Why is Saurashtra firing on all cylinders while Vidarbha is limping along?
Read the ITP-APM summary here.
Gender equity, water and food security in drought prone areas: A case study of Odisha and Gujarat
Gender equity, water and food security in drought prone areas
Read the ITP-APM summary here.
An experiment in solar power based community tubewells for irrigation in Nalanda district, Bihar
Read the ITP-APM summary here.
Solar-powered pump irrigation and India’s groundwater economy
Solar-powered pump irrigation and India’s groundwater economy: A preliminary discussion of opportunities and threats
Read the ITP-APM summary here.
Canal irrigation conundrum: Applying contingency theory to irrigation system management in India
Read the ITP-APM summary here.
Fencing women in water user associations: An appraisal of gender strategy for participatory irrigation management in Tamil Nadu
Fencing women in water user associations
Read the ITP-APM summary here.
How WUAs facilitate direct groundwater regulation: A case study of Minqin county, China
Read the ITP-APM summary here.
Addressing social and gender equity in the water sector
Addressing social and gender equity in the water sector
Read the ITP-APM summary here.
Winds of change in Sri Lanka's north central dry zone
Potential and challenges in up-scaling micro-irrigation in India: Experiences from nine states
Potential and challenges in up-scaling micro-irrigation in India
Read the ITP-APM summary here.
Whose water is it anyway? Evolving rights over canal water in Guhai irrigation system, Gujarat
Read the ITP-APM summary here.
Irrigation, economic benefits and women: Evidence from two case studies in Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh
Irrigation, economic benefits and women
Read the ITP-APM summary here.
Irrigation modernization, Chinese style: Report on a field visit to Shijin irrigation system, Hebei province
Read the ITP-APM summary here.
The National River Linking Project of India: Some contentious issues
The National River Linking Project of India
Read the ITP-APM summary here.
Performance of participatory irrigation management: A study of two water users associations in Anand district of Gujarat
Read the ITP-APM summary here.
Redefining Irrigation as if Gender Mattered
Redefining Irrigation as if Gender Mattered
Read the ITP-APM summary here.
Accelerated sectoral development program: What can water sector learn from power sector?
The accelerated irrigation benefits program has failed to acheive its goals despite being massively funded. It has also not been evaluated by an independent agency. This paper compares the water and power sectors. It points out the effectiveness of the Acccelerated power development and reforms program in turning around the sector and argues that the same principles be applied to the irrigation program. Some of these successful principles are aggressive metering, capacity building of staff, and a reward mechanism that provided incentive to states.
Read the ITP-APM summary here.
Irrigating with Arsenic contaminated groundwater in the Bengal delta: A review of mitigation options
Author(s): Narmadha Senanayke and Aditi Mukherji
Irrigating with arsenic contaminated groundwater
Irrigation with groundwater contaminated by Arsenic threatens the health of those who consume the produce. This exposure is difficult to control or quantify. Ceasing all irrigation is also not an option. This paper assesses various agricultural methods that address mitigation of arsenic contamination of crops.These interventions can be classified as those that address water management practices, soil remediation, cooking methods, paddy cultivars, crop patterns and nutritional supplements.
Read the ITP-APM summary here.
Ten things to learn from the dug well recharge programme
Author(s): Sunderrajan Krishnan
The national dug well recharge programme offered a subsidy of Rs. 4200/- to utilise wells not just for pumping, but also for recharge. However, this programme failed to meet the expected results. This paper examines the reasons for this failure and presents 10 lessons learnt from this effort.
Read the ITP-APM summary here.
Unlocking value out of India's rainfed farming areas
Unlocking value out of Indias rainfed areas
The 86 million hectares in India that are under rainfed agriculture are vulnerable to variation in rainfall. Supplementary irrigation, delivered by means of decentralised rainwater harvesting structures, are the key to reducing this vulnerability. This paper points out the benefits that can be realised by such a strategy and suggests measures that can be applied to realise it.
Read the ITP-APM summary here.
Reinventing agricultural extension: Preliminary assessment of Gujarat's Krishi Mahotsav (Agrarian Festival)
Author(s): Tushaar Shah, Itishree Patnaik, Sonal Bhatt, G. Kopa and Amita Shah
Since 2005, Gujarat has initiated a massive agricultural campaign in the form of an annual Krishi Mahotsav. This paper examines the impact of this campaign through a survey carried out among 1445 farmers in Gujarat. The results show that a overwhelmingly large proportion of the benefits are received by large farmers including agricultural kits, training, etc. Rainfed, landless, SC & ST, and women-headed households benefit the least. The paper also suggests ways in which the campaign can be made more effective.
Read the ITP-APM summary here.
Labor market dynamics in post-MGNREGA rural India
Author(s): Shilp Verma and Tushaar Shah
Labour market dynamics in post-MGNREGA rural India
In addition to offering employment security, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) also aimed to alter the working of rural labour markets, specifically by reducing distress migration and adding to the purchasing power of the labour class.
This paper presents the results of a study conducted by IWMI and IRMA to understand the interaction between MGNREGA and village markets. The study found that this interaction could be classified into 4 distinct types: misfit (where a lack of demand makes MGNREGA difficult to implement), insignificant (where the program's contribution is small compared to the local market), potentially significant (where MGNREGA wages and volume are both significant, but the programme fails to reach its potential) and significant (labour-surplus areas where MGNREGA brings relief).
It is suggested that MGNREGA's success can be maximised by strategising its implementation.
Read the ITP-APM summary here.
Impact of the system of rice intensification (SRI): Analysis of SRI practices in 13 states of India
Author(s): K. Palanisami, K.R. Karunakaran and Upali Amarasinghe
The System of Rice Intensification (SRI) promises increased yields, reduced water consumption and resilient crops. This paper presents the results of a survey of 2234 farmers across 13 states. It presents data relating to SRI adoption, costs, returns and constraints. It proposes that SRI practices be tailored for different regions.
Read the ITP-APM summary here.
Organizational reform in Gujarat's electricity utility: Lessons for revitalizing a bureaucratic service delivery agency
Author(s): Tushaar Shah, Madhavi Mehta, Gopi Sankar and Shankar Mondal
Gujarats power utilities have been transformed from a nearly bankrupt electricity board offering poor services into a model public utilities entity. This paper examines the process by which this was achieved and also the replicability of this process for other state
Read the ITP-APM summary here.
Poor state of irrigation statistics in India: The case of wells and tube wells
Poor state of irrigation statistics
Author(s): Stuti Rawat and Aditi Mukherji
Declining groundwater levels make it necessary to formulate plans and policies conducive to water conservation. Such planning depends on an accurate assessment of groundwater use today. The authors prove that irrigation statistics in India do not have the level of accuracy required for such policy planning and make a strong case of improving data collection systems.
This paper compares data sets for electric pump sets, diesel pump sets, and number of wells and tubewells in India available with Minor Irrigation Census (MIC), Agricultural Census (Ag), Input Survey (InS) and State Electricity Boards (SEBs).
Read the ITP-APM summary here.
Coping with seasonal peak in power demand for irrigation: Pros and cons of temporary farm power connections in Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal
Author(s): Tushaar Shah, Paratha Sarathi Banerji, Ayan Roy and Shashank Singhania
The seasonal surge in power demand for irrigation (the season varies with region) results in increased load on transformers and power theft. Madhya Pradesh and W.Bengal have begun to offer temprary single season connections to cope with this increase, which has led to bumper crops in these states.
This paper assesses the viability of this approach. It also points out that permanent power connections are tantamount to permanenent groundwater rights. This mechanism of temporary connecions leads to less power theft, less damage to infrastructure and possible means of groundwater rationing.
Read the ITP-APM summary here.
Incentivizing irrigation departments to collect irrigation service fee: Will the 12th Plan proposal for National Irrigation Management Fund (NIMF) work?
Author(s): Meghna Brahmachari
Incentivizing irrigation departments to collect irrigation service fee
The 12th Five Year Plan proposes to set an irrigation service fee based on the value of the irrigated output. It is assumed that this will reward state irrigation agencies for improving the provision of irrigation services, enable farmers to have access to improved irrigation services and also enable state irrigation services to maintain systems better.
This paper through consultations with several experts in the irrigation sector- examines this assumption and also suggests ways to make the initiative more effective. This includes measures to ensure that the fund is directly applied to maintenance of systems, to steamline collection mechanisms, gather information for effective monitoring, and the pre-requisites needed to ensure that fund collection does result in better service.
Read the ITP-APM summary here.
How did West Bengal bell the proverbial cat of agricultural metering? The economics and politics of groundwater
Author(s): Aditi Mukherji and Arijit Das
This paper takes the earlier discussion further by detailing the process in which West Bengal began metering agricultural tube wells and the reasons it worked in that state. Small land holdings were an important factor as metered farmers actually paid less as compared to those paying a flat rate. The influence of the urban opinion on groundwater use in terms of perceived scarcity and arsenic contamination is discussed. The paper ends by summing up the lessons that other states can learn from the West Bengal experience.
Read the ITP-APM summary here.
The other side of India's electricity-groundwater nexus
The other side of India's electricity-groundwater nexus
Author(s): Nisha Nair and Tushaar Shah
The power-supply environment (PSEn)is characterised by such parameters as hours when power is available, voltage fluctuations, interruptions etc. The rural power supply environment in India is poor nad forms a road block to the delivery of essential services.
This paper, based on an IRMA survey of 1400 consumers in western India explores the relationship between subsidised tariff (including free power supply to farmers) and poor rural PSEn. The effect of this policy on groundwater resources in India is also explored. Possible mechanisms to mitigate 'power anarchy' such as feeder separation, HVDS, and pricing based on use are discussed.
Read the ITP-APM summary here.
- To learn more about the IWMI-Tata water policy research programme, click here.
- To see the programme for the IWMI Tata Annual Partners' Meet, 2012, click here.
- To read the highlights and download papers, click here.
