Convergence for Integrated Development of Rainfed Farming Systems: Lessons and Way Forward

1. Convergence for Integrated Development of Rainfed Farming Systems: Lessons and Way Forward Sreenath Dixit Principal Scientist Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture Hyderabad Rainfed Farming Systems: Evolving Operation Framework for 12th Five Year Plan, CRIDA, 14-15 May, 2013

2. Convergence: Need of the Hour • Public investment in development: Huge and increasing • Takes the form of programmes and schemes implemented by multiple ministries, departments, elected bodies and other agencies • Lack of streamlined implementation leading to multiplicity and duplication • Lack of cooperation and coordination between implementing agencies • Absence of demand and access mechanism

3. Operationalizing Convergence: Challenges • Conflict between development needs and programme goals - development projects often lack systems approach • Multiplicity of department/schemes/organisations: Eg. RD, Agri, horti, seri, AH; SAUs etc. • Other schemes aiming at HDI such as women and child welfare, nutrition, sanitation, education, skill development etc. – not streamlined either • Need for a body or an agency to anchor and drawn in support/assistance to the community from different schemes • District administration – too over loaded to play the role

4. Promoting Convergence: CRIDA’s Experiences • National Agricultural Innovation Project (NAIP): Implemented across eight backward districts of AP • Aimed at overall livelihood improvement of marginalized communities • Adopted unique project management approach: Cluster Anchoring by an implementation partner • Built in flexibility to carry out what was required to make things happen • Took initiative for convergence right from project launch onwards • Sensitized partners about the need to bring convergence and the value it brings for the project • Supported anchoring partners with logistics and networking required for promoting convergence

5. Some Examples of Promoting Convergence • Farm ponds in Adilabad: MGNREGS • Micro irrigation in Anantapur & Warangal: APMIP • Community & household biogas in Nalgonda & Khammam: NEDCAP • Safe drinking water: JP Morgan-Planet Water Foundation (Mbnr); NTR Trust (Nlg) • Horticulture in Anantapur: NHM • Exposure visits: ATMA • Groundwater sharing in RR district: NABARD District Collector Participating in the Launch Meeting

6. Up-scaling of Farm Ponds in Adilabad Identified & demostrated potential for runoff harvest DWMA sanctioned Rs.20 lakhs under MGNREGS for up-sacling farm ponds in Gudi Hatnur mandal Convergence with MGNREGS Critical Input: Topo Survey & Follow up with DWMA

7. Reviving Sunk Investments … Making Them Productive Availed 2000 man days from MGNREGS for tank de-silting Courtesy DWMA, Nalgonda Critical Input: Technical Survey and Community Mobilization; identifying scope for under utiized investments Silted up Jalamalakunta Desilted Jalamalakunta with a pucca waste weir, Nalgonda

8. Community Biogas Unit: Convergence with NEDCAP, Nalgonda • Facilitated availing of Rs.5 lakh assistance by NEDCAP for the community biogas unit • 45 houses connected • Biogas for power: 15 kva genset to energize 13 hp motor • Critical Input: Genset; institution bldg Convergence: NEDCAP, NAIP, Banjara Society Biogas for cooking

9. Vermicomposting Unit Added on to Community Biogas Unit • Annual production capacity : 80 t • Current utilization: • 5 t slurry output/week • 3 t vermi compost/cycle • Cycle reduced by 10-15 days due to feeding of digested dung. • Sold to vegetable farmers • Critical input: Large sheds and capacity building Community vermi compost production shed

10. Household Biogas Units: In Convergence with NEDCAP, Khammam • Thummalacheruvu cluster, KMM • In convergence with NEDCAP • Contribution by each family Rs.1200 • 90 households connected • Critical input: Sand and Gravel • Thummalacheruvu cluster, KMM • Fuel requirement: 6-8 cartloads firewood/year • Mini biogas unit caters to cooking twice daily • Capacity: 1 m3 • Requirement: Dung of two cattle

11. Sharing of Groundwater: Convergence with NABARD Networking of 6 bore wells covering 18 farmers and 45 acres : Malkaipet Thanda, RR district Critical Input: Technical survey & community mobilization

12. Social and Irrigation Engineering Pipeline networking Learning for planning • 6 bore wells; 18 farmers; 45 acres • kharif :3 protective irrigations; 45 ac • Rabi: 2 ac groundnut - donor farmers; 1 ac groundnut - recipient farmers • Paddy cultivation only during kharif; restricted to 5 acres Dream coming true

13. Worth of Convergence Details

14. Convergence Agenda Continues in NICRA

18. Convergence for Productivity Enhancement in Rainfed Farming Systems: Suggested Areas • Critical irrigation: DWMA – Dept. of Agri. – APMIP • Soil fertility enhancement • Silt application: MGNREGS – Dept. of Agri. – SAU • Green manuring: MGNREGS – Dept. of Agri. Forest Dept. • Crop residue recycling/composting: MGNREGS – Dept. of Agri. • Farm mechanization: District agros – Dept. of Agri. – Village panchayat • Livestock development: APDDC – DAH – Dept. of Agri. – DWMA • Post-harvest value addition: Commodity boards -Dept of Agri-Farmer groups

19. Thank You sdixit@crida.in sreenathd@yahoo.com