Socio-economic Impact of Watershed Development in Kanpur

Abstract

The socio-economic impact of a watershed project in Kanpur Dehat district of Uttar Pradesh has been evaluated in a ‘before and after’ framework. The implementation of the project has facilitated area expansion during the post-rainy season, which was fallow before initiation of the project. The productivity of most of the crops has also increased. Besides, the project could arrest degradation of the land, which was very severe in the command area and was acting as a limitation in improving the crop productivity. Livestock population has also increased considerably. These improvements in the agricultural activity have led to an increase in the on-farm employment opportunities for the farmers of the area. Smallholders have been benefited the most from the project.