The Hindu Business Line : Balance sheets on water a hit in AP

Besides making the farmers aware of the deepening groundwater crisis, the project is aimed at making them willing partners in protecting, conserving and replenishing water resources.

Hyderabad , March 28

Nearly five lakh farmers in seven drought-prone districts of Andhra Pradesh have started maintaining balance sheets on water resources, listing groundwater levels, likely shortage for the crop year and the means to meet the shortfall.

And theirs is no blind effort.

They factor in data collected through GIS (Geographical Information System), GPS (Global Positioning System) and geological studies, in addition to inputs from scientists.

This model developed by the uneducated farmers in 650 habitats is now attracting managers of water resources from across the world. It was among the few projects showcased at the World Water Forum in Mexico recently. Dr S.V. Govardhan Das, who is in charge of Crop Water Budgeting, presented the model at the conference.

Guiding the farmers in this effort is APFAMS (Andhra Pradesh Farmer Managed Groundwater Systems) funded by the Netherlands through the UN's FAO (Food and Agriculture Organisation).

"Farmers, when needed, voluntarily reduce standing water in their fields. Why, they even don't mind shifting to crops that require less water," Dr K.A.S. Mani, Project Leader of APFAMS, told Business Line.

Each habitat has democratically elected Groundwater Management Committees (GMCs) that help the farmers prepare water budgeting for the crop.

Using non-formal education techniques, the project demystified groundwater science for the farmers.

It started a magazine called Nella Muccheta (About Water) in the Telangana dialect to further the demystification process. The magazine published success stories of farmers who employed innovative methods to beat the water problem, and project updates.

The pilot project launched in Andhra Pradesh will be completed in 2008.

"Usually, there is no accountability or control over groundwater usage. The major cause of rural indebtedness is the huge loans farmers take to dig borewells that often fail them," he said.

Besides making the farmers aware of the deepening groundwater crisis, the project is aimed at making them willing partners in protecting, conserving and replenishing water resources.

"We would also like to make this effort part of the planning process and to integrate it with the activity of local bodies," Dr Mani said.

The project laid out a clear-cut, field-tested methodology of hydrological monitoring by farmers, referred to as Participatory Hydrological Monitoring.

"This can be scaled up," Dr Mani said.

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