Adoption of Soil Conservation Measures: Evidence from Rain-fed Watershed Areas of Telangana

Land degradation resulting from soil erosion is a major problem in rain-fed agricultural areas in India. This study analyses the key determinants of farmers’ decisions to adopt on-farm soil and water conservation (SWC) measures in the rain-fed watershed areas of Siddipet district in Telangana. Here, SWC measures have been undertaken by the government and NGOs at the sub-watershed/community level and by individual farmers at the farm level. The study is based on a primary survey of over 400 farmers conducted in January–March 2018. In addition to estimating the influence of biophysical and market access variables on farmers’ decisions to undertake SWC practices, the study includes a logistic model that found a complementarity between community and individual plot-level interventions to improve soil health. The findings also highlight the influence of conservation measures practised in the neighbourhood on farmers’ decisions to implement SWC measures.