TN IAMWARM

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TAMILNADU IRRIGATED AGRICULTURE MODERNISATION AND WATER BODIES RESTORATION AND MANAGEMENT PROJECT(TN IAMWARM)

With the objective of increasing production in agriculture, Horticulture, Sericulture and proliferation in cattle population, the World bank funded project entailed development and maintenance of water resources such as reservoirs and tanks, to utilize which, Water users Association was formed. The COODU Research Team studied the geology of the area wherein the water resource is located, and its catchment and command area and the geographical features of the resource and its infrastructure, including inlet structures supply and feeder channels were studied for its carrying capacity and to ascertain egnal distribution of water to the fields of individual farmers. Rate of growth of crops was also studied at and after every stage of irrigation. To ensure equal distribution of water, upto tail wnd, the channel structure was inspected by the team. The team interacted with member of WUA and its sub-committees from the time of preparation of fields and planting to harvest. The team used water meters, water flow sensors, water velocity instrument, gas bubbler, system to measure water level, etc.,

Case Study-1:

  • i. Name of Farmer : V.Radhakrishnan
  • ii. WUA : VadakaraiPeriakulam and chinnakulam.
  • iii. Type of Irrigation : Non system tanks
  • iv. Sub Basin : Therkar
  • v. District / Taluk : Madurai / Usilampatti
  • vi. WUA area : 193.68 Ha.
  • vii. Rainfall : Not normal. Low rainfall for the past 3 years. Not even sufficient for one month storage
  • viii. People’s initiative : The Government carries out desilting of canal from Thirumangalam Gundar to vadakarai tank once in five years. Hence in order to get water to the tank, the WUA takes up desilting of the canal every year at a cost of Rs1.75 lakhs to Rs2.0 lakhs, wholly contributed by its members by subscription. The length of canal is 3 km. There are four sluices and two surplus weirs.
  • ix. Other irrigation source : Sewage flows in from Thirumangalam town, enough to irrigate one acre of agriculture land every day. The WUA regulates its distribution and has arranged to irrigate land on rotation basis.At present, cotton fields are irrigated by using a motor at the expense of the WUA.
  • x. Proposed Work : The Government have sanctioned desilting of canal from Sathankudi tank located a km from Tirumangalam to Vadakarai tank at a cost of Rs.30 Crores. The PWD will float tenders for the work.
  • xi. Existing Assets : i). Vadakarai big and small tanks linked by a canal. ii). Gundarvadakarai canal.
  • xii. Issues : The farmer has planted cotton in 10 acres of his land. He says that neither the cotton seed nor the insecticide supplied by the agriculture department are of good quality or effective or worthwhile. He could get good quality cotten seeds from private companies. The TNAU Personnel do not come to the village for study or advice. Pests attack cotton plants just before picking. There is no effective pest control.
  • xiii. Suggestions : Line departments should be periodically in touch with the WUAs. TNAU should conduct study on pests attacking cotton plants and advice on pest control. Agriculture department to supply quality cotton seeds and send its field officials to visit cotton and other fields periodically.

Case Study-2:

  • i. Name of Farmer : N.Radhakrishnan
  • ii. WUA : Manjalnadhi Tank, Naickankulam,Thathamuthankulam, Kanavaimudakkukulam & Karuvelankulam Tanks.
  • iii. Type of Irrigation : Non system
  • iv. Sub Basin : Upper Vaigai, Varattar-Nagalar
  • v. Name of cluster : Andipatti
  • vi. Membership : WUA-Technical Committee and National Agriculture Mission – Banana committee.
  • vii. PersonalAhievements: Raised banana plantation in 50 acres during the year 2010-2011, has raised banana plantation in 20 acres in 2013-14 drawing water from bore well due to failure of monsoon.
  • viii. Statementon the Project: Naickankulam tank encompasses 100 acres of land with 100 acres ayacut area and 1300 Ha catchment area. Agricultural Engineering department has desilted channel – Drip irrigation lines laid for 5 Km. Desilting and strengthening of tank executed under MGNREGS, thereby also providing employment opportunities.
  • ix. InitiativeofWUA : Carried out jungle clearance in the channel prior to its desilting by Agricultural Engineering Department.
  • x. Suggestions : Periodic Desilting of tank, pond and Oorani.Release of government subsidy to WUAs. Convergence of schemes including MGNREGS for the improvement of water resources.

Case Study-3:

  • i. Name of Farmer : M.Pitchai, President – Thirali WUA.
  • ii. WUA : Thirali Tank WUA.
  • iii. Type of Irrigation : Non system.
  • iv. Sub Basin : Upper Gundar.
  • v. Name of cluster : Thirumangalam.
  • vi. WUA area : 142.600 Ha.
  • vii. Personal Achievements : Has strengthened the WUA, Initiated Kudimaramathu in supply and feeder channels with people contributing their labour as well as money.
  • viii. Statements on project: Monsoon failure, Low Rainfall for the past three years: Only one month storage during Monsoon
    In 2011-12, strengthening of bund taken up by PWD at a cost of Rs.50.0 lakhs and Rs.48.0 lakhs for surplus weir repairs built across the river.
    No well in the tank.
    15 wells in the ayacut area.
    Owns 1 acre agri land with no well.
    Now all lands are rainfed
    Black soil on one side and black soil with gravel on another side of the area.
    Depending on availability of ( ground) water, sugarcane, groundnut, cotton and sun flower also cultivated, besides paddy.
    Single crop in rainfed areas and two crops in land irrigated by well.
    Tank area – 490 acre ;ayacut area – 500 acre.
    Work under MGNREGS also was undertaken in the tank, two times during the 2013-14 for 4 months.
  • ix. Initiatives of the WUA: Executed desilting of supply channel from Gundar At Nauvakottai with a length of 3 Km with contribution of labour and money by members, labour contribution- one from each family on the pattern of “Kudimaramathu”.
    In the feeder channel from the tank, channel for a length of 150 meter desilted.
  • x. Suggestions : Formation of a well in the tank
    Convergence of schemes including MGNREGS.
    WUA should be truly empowered as per Act.
    Better co-ordination among the 8 line departments of WUA
    The 5 departments other than horticulture, Agricultural Engg and PWD-WRO should also extend their services in fulfilling the objectives of the project.

Case Study-4:

  • i. Name of Farmer : K.C.P.Jayakumar – Advocate. President – WUA and President – Nagamalai- PudukottaiPanchayat.
  • ii. WUA : Nagamalai-Pudukottai Tanks WUA.
  • iii. Type of Irrigation : System Tank.
  • iv. Sub Basin : Upper Gundar.
  • v. Name of Cluster : Thiruparankundram.
  • vi. WUA area : 85.510 Ha.
  • vii. Statement on the Project: No consultation with WUA regarding work executed in the tank.
    • Top down approach.
    • Weak institutional framework.
    • Severe drought for the past three years and hence low motivational level among WUA members.
    • In the sluice work executed recently, WUA was not consulted as to its need.
    • Has been functioning also as panchayat president for the 3rd time.
  • Viii. Suggestions : Empowerment of WUA.
    • Consultation with WUA From Planning to Execution stage.
    • Transparency

Case Study-5:

  • i. Name of Farmer : Swaminathan,President – ThiruparankundramVattarakanmoi WUA
  • ii. WUA : ThiruparankundramVattakanmoi WUA.
  • iii. Type of Irrigation : System Tank.
  • iv. Sub Basin : Therkar.
  • v. Name of cluster : Thiruparankundram.
  • vi. WUA area : 218.410 Ha.
  • vii. Statement of the Project: There are 5 tanks.
    Strengthening of bund was taken up and completed in 2011.
    There are 3 surplus weirs
    There was no storage of water in the years 2012-2013 and 2013-14.
    There are a total of 22 tanks fed by vaigai
    From Mullipallam to Perungudi, there are 16 system tanks connected by canals with a lenghth of 28 Kms.
    There is another canal coming up with water diverted from Mullipallam to Nilayur canal called Kambikudi tank scheme.
    Subscription fee regularly collected @ Rs.100/- Per Acre from all members and deposited in bank A/C of the WUA.
    During normal seasonal rainfall, there would be storage for 3 months channelised through system tanks which is sufficient only for a single crop.
  • Viii. Suggestions : Government should release subsidy to the WUA.