37 Chapter. 2 HYPOTHESIS, SCOPE, OBJECTIVES AND METHODOLOGY 2.1: Hypothesis for the Present Study: It is difficult to make categorical statements on the development which is a multi faceted phenomenon; caused in the command areas, due to irrigation, however voluminous may be the data. An evaluation assessment on the basis of some primary and secondary information available for a short, yet acceptable, period will indicate the positive changes in the direction, and degree and quality of changes is discernible. The hypothesis taken up in this study is whether irrigation improves the standard of living of the rural masses and in turn helps the rural development. This study has the main objective of studying the impact of irrigation on rural development, through the development of agriculture (Vasudeva Rao, D. 1982). The assumed chain reaction is that irrigation leads to intensive cultivation which results in better crop pattern reflecting in higher productivity causing more employment resulting in more per capita income and more saving. The probable increase in expenditure is expected to raise the intake of quality food. Expenditure on non food items like education, health care would also go up. Thus the study aims at quantifying and linking up interwoven characteristics of development, with irrigation as the (center) starting point for around development of the study (rural) area. 2.2: Scope and Objectives: The main objective is to study in depth, how irrigation holds the key for agricultural development and consequently rural development. The approach is a two pronged one : (i) At micro level : the cultivator
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37
Chapter. 2
HYPOTHESIS, SCOPE, OBJECTIVES AND
METHODOLOGY
2.1: Hypothesis for the Present Study:
It is difficult to make categorical statements on the development
which is a multi faceted phenomenon; caused in the command areas, due
to irrigation, however voluminous may be the data. An evaluation
assessment on the basis of some primary and secondary information
available for a short, yet acceptable, period will indicate the positive
changes in the direction, and degree and quality of changes is discernible.
The hypothesis taken up in this study is whether irrigation improves the
standard of living of the rural masses and in turn helps the rural
development. This study has the main objective of studying the impact of
irrigation on rural development, through the development of agriculture
(Vasudeva Rao, D. 1982). The assumed chain reaction is that irrigation
leads to intensive cultivation which results in better crop pattern
reflecting in higher productivity causing more employment resulting in
more per capita income and more saving. The probable increase in
expenditure is expected to raise the intake of quality food. Expenditure on
non food items like education, health care would also go up. Thus the
study aims at quantifying and linking up interwoven characteristics of
development, with irrigation as the (center) starting point for around
development of the study (rural) area.
2.2: Scope and Objectives:
The main objective is to study in depth, how irrigation holds the
key for agricultural development and consequently rural development.
The approach is a two pronged one : (i) At micro level : the cultivator
38
households are considered, (ii) Tahsil as a unit is taken up for macro-
level study of the overall development.
2.3: Specific Objectives and Problem:
The present study can be termed as a path breaking one, in the
sense that, an attempt is made here to study, understand and assess at
micro level (cultivators households) the impact of irrigation under a
command area canal system, in Shrigonda tahsil, as against the macro
background of state level. After critical examination of different issues
involved, at micro and macro levels, the study has finally selected the
following eleven specific objectives to be studied at micro level.
To cross cheek and further corroborate the micro level findings, an
unique attempt and novel approach is made to compare the two
neighboring villages (with irrigation as the limiting factor) with respect to
twenty variables between two points of time. This proceeding helped to
arrive at definite conclusions as to whether irrigation has really effected
or it is a fluke chance at the micro mechanism of the analysis which
makes the conclusions tool proof and leaves no room for benefit of doubt.
At the farmer‟s (households) levels the following topics would be
studies in depth to know whether irrigation has brought any change in
the:
1. Work participation of own family female labour.
2. Attendance of the school going children (4-15 years) either to
school or for work.
3. Area under cash crops; sugarcane, oil seeds, cotton, lemon, graps.
4. Use of inputs viz, on time and in sufficient quantities, thus
minimizing the wastage.
5. Optimum (own / hired) labour usage (habit)
6. Intake of quality foods (milk, meat, ghee, etc.)
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7. Proportion of (per capita consumption unit) expenditure on non-
food items in the total expenditure
8. Per capita income: overall and source wise.
9. Indebtedness and its impact on agricultural production.
10. Housing conditions and availability of amenities / facilities
11. Position of people with reference to poverty line.
At macro level, Shrigonda tahsil would be compared (over time
and extent of benefit derived) with the neighboring dry tahsil Karjat. The
secondary information will be collected on important variables that can
be quantified like changes in literacy, population, employment, land use,
crop pattern, agricultural implements, social infrastructure,
communication, connectivity etc. this will be supplemented by personal
observation too.
2.4: Relevance of the Study:
The overall development in the command area can be well brought
out at micro level, by studying one fairly big and representative village as
most of the characteristics the problems faced, the benefits enjoyed, soil
type, crop pattern, Ecological sociological and economic conditions are
unbiasedly represented by the sample villages. However generalization
cannot be extended too far. It is also remembered that ten years time is
not that big to manifest radical changes in the traditionally backward
areas like the study region. An attempt is made to know the directions of
change. The ideal way of studying and understanding the impact of
irrigation on the all round development of the village would have been by
comparing the pre- irrigation data for the same villages. But this is time
consuming and can‟t be done single handedly. Hence the next best
alternative is to compare two neighboring villages, which are similar in
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all respects and ascepcts, except irrigation. The differences if any can be
safely attributed to irrigation (Alexander, K. C. 1980).
With an eye on change in the crop pattern, crop rotation judicious
use of water and other essential inputs, the maximum yields can be
achieved which in turn would give rise to a shift in emphasis from growth
of per capita income to eradication of poverty, reduction in income
inequalities, expansion of employment opportunities, rise in literacy
levels, better standard of living.
2.5: Limitations:
i. Study is not following up but cross sectional in nature, due to lack
of manpower, time and money. Wherever possible some figures
from the bench mark survey report are referred to.
ii. Memory basis of the respondent: as the data for a full agricultural
year is collected in one to two sittings, during 2000-01 to 2010-11
for the each agricultural year.
iii. Generally the tendency is to overestimate the expenditure and
underestimate the income and production.
iv. Only one year reference period (through rainfall is normal and not
a drought year) It is not safe to generalize from the results obtained
and conclusions arrived at, on the basis of only one year‟s inquiry,
though the year of inquiry coincided with adequate rainfall in
selected villages. To the extent the differences in output between
22 villages, which might have been noticeable, in an otherwise
drought year, is mitigated. There are dangers in generalization,
dangers of extrapolation and its is sometimes forgotten that any
number of traverses do not add up to triangulation- this warning is
well kept in mind by the researcher, in this study (Spate, O. H. K.
in Introductions to T. S. Episten‟s Book of 1973).
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This is overcome to a great extent by cross checking the village
level data and agriculture department employees, (checklist) and personal
observation.
2.6: Study Region Canal Irrigation Sources:
1. Visapur Dam:
In Shrigonda Tahsil irrigation facility provided by British Visapur
Dam was dedicated to the Nation by the British on 1927. The earthern
dam is 84 ft. in height. The water storage capacity of this dam is 0.92
TMC for irrigation and other purpose. There is only one canal on the left
bank with a length of 25 Kms. It irrigates mainly villages from Shrigonda
Tahsil.
2. Ghod Dam:
This is earthen dam with 10900 ft. embankment and 97 ft. height.
The water from dam is let into canal with Ghod left and right banks. It
was completed in 1966 and irrigated the area of Shrigonda and Karjat
tahsil, some villages. It also facilitates the area of Shirur tahsil of Pune
district. Water storage capacity of this dam is 7.5 TMC.
3. Kukadi Project:
In 1903 to 1910 Mr. Ben, an Executive Engineer, has don a
research study of the river Ghod, Kukadi and Meena for using their water
for the droughted tahsils areas in the district of Ahmednagar like Parner,
Shrigonda, Karjat and Karmala of Solapur district. In addition to this, he
also studied the various optional plans previously studied water resources
for farming. Having studied the Kukadi canal project, he submitted the
project report to the Maharashtra Government; in 1965.
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The Kukadi Project Report was studied the Irrigation Department
of the government and sanctioned the project on 30/04/1965 vide letter
No. PIM / 3465 / 12050- P
Under the Kukadi project in Pune district hearly about five dams
were constructed such as Yedgaon (1977), Manikdoh (1994) on Kukadi
River, Wadaj (1983) on Mina River, this river is tributary of Kukadi,
Dimbhe (1995) on Ghod River, Pimplgaon Joga (2000) on Arr River; this
river is tributary of Kukadi River also. Total five dams were constructed
under this project.
Through Kukadi left Bank Canal 50 % land irrigated in Shrigonda
tahsil. The Kukadi canal project plays vital role in the development of
agricultural field.
Some Particulars:
Visapur Dam (Left canal) - 25 Km length – Irrigates 3164.51 hectares in
Shrigonda Tahsil.
Ghod Dam (Left Canal) - 64 Km length – Irrigates 9238.92 hectares in
ShrigondaTahsil.
Kukadi Canal Project - 104 Km. length – Irrigates 30616 hectares in
Shrigonda Tahsil.
Above all three projects benefited irrigation facilities as follows
(Table 2.1)
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Map 2.1: Visapur Dam with Canal
Map 2.2: Ghod Dam with Left Bank Canal
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Map 2.3: Kukadi Irrigation Project with Left Bank Canal
Map 2.4: Canals, Dams and Bandharas of Study area
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Table- 2.1
Distinguishing Features of Kukadi Project
Sr.No. Details Unit Yedgaon Manikdoh Pimpalgaon Joge Dimbhe Wadaj Total
1. Sight of Dam --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
2.
Latitude --- 19010′ N 19
0 12′ N 19
0 18′ N 19
0 05′ N 19
0 08′ N ---
Longitude --- 170
01′ E 740
50′ E 730
52′ E 730
44′ E 730
52′ E ---
Village --- Yedgaon Manikdoh Pimpalgaon Joge Dimbhe Wadaj ---
Tahsil --- Junnar Junnar Junnar Amegaon Junnar ---
District --- Pune Pune Pune Pune Pune ---
River --- Kukadi Kukadi Arr Ghod Mina ---
3. Type of Dam --- Mixed Earthen Mixed Earthen Mixed ---