ECONOMIC EVALUATION OF MUDIMADAGU SUB- WATERSHEDPROJECT IN KOLAR DISTRICT OF KARNATAKA, INDIAMeghana J.Abstract The study was undertaken in Srinivaspura taluk, Kolar district of Karnataka to analyse the economic benefitsderived by watershed beneficiaries of Mudimadagu sub-watershed project implemented under CreditInstitute for Reconstruction-watershed area project (KfW). Primary data of the study was collected fromrandomly selected 60 farmers from the project area which includes 30 watershed beneficiaries and 30 nonbeneficiaries.Data Collected were examined using Simpsonâs index, cost and returns analysis and Garettâsranking. Higher crop diversity was found among watershed beneficiaries than the non -beneficiaries withSimpsonâs index values of 0.84 and 0.79 respectively. Production, productivity and net returns of the majorcrops cultivated was found higher in watershed area compared to Non-watershed area. Average Annualincome for unit farm was found higher in watershed area with Rs. 2,98,855 compared to Non-watershedarea with Rs1,73,189. Lack of awareness about benefits of watershed technology among the beneficiaryfarmers and poor participation by the farmers during training programmes conducted by the implementingagencies were the major constraints faced during the watershed project implementation. Fromthe results itwas clear that the watershed activities benefited farmers by enhancing their yield, net returns and overallincome. It was also found that formation of watershed area farmersâ associations is necessaryfor themaintenance of soil and water conservation structures by watershed area development department. |