Check Dam Projects and Farm Productivity: Comparison of Economic Benefits in Selected Districts of Gujarat

Among the minor irrigation schemes, checkdams have received considerable importance for harvesting the rain water and utilising it for raising the farm productivity and farm income. The study compares the economic benefits due to checkdams in the selected districts of Gujarat. After comparing the post-development phase with the pre-development phase, the study finds positive impact of checkdams on cropping area, productivity, income, employment and wage rate. However, these returns vary among the selected districts on account of variation in topographic characteristics and status of socio-economic factors. In order to efficiently utilise the harvested rain water and maximise the gains, the study suggests for adopting the integrated approach in which the check dam projects should be supplemented with the overall development of the village. This would act as a nuclei for the development of neighbouring villages.