From Subhash Chandra Garg, National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand

Posted 15 April 2009

I work as District Development Manager, NABARD in Uttarkashi District of Uttarakhand and closely monitor the problems related to microfinance arrangements for minor irrigation being faced by the small and marginal farmers. In Uttarakhand, there is a practice of cultivating on leased lands by poor SHG members including women groups on crop sharing basis. Often, these poor farmers are out of the formal financial system. They do not have Kisan Credit Card for meeting their short term credit requirements. These SHG members do not have land title and often depend upon commission agents (Aadatiyas) for inputs and for getting irrigation facilities.

As per the National Water Policy (NWP) 2002 document, in terms of water allocation priorities, irrigation is the second priority area after drinking water. Irrigation being the largest consumer of fresh water, the aim has been to get optimal productivity per unit of water. The irrigation potential through major, medium and minor irrigation projects is increasing steadily. It has increased from 22.6 million hectares (mha) in 1951 to about 102.77 mha at the end of the 10th Five-Year Plan.

In irrigation planning, cost-effective irrigation options, and appropriate irrigation technology for optimal use of water has been the key issues of concern of government, NGOs and international organizations. Disparities in the availability of water between head-reach and tail-end farms and between large and small farms need to be obviated by adoption of a rotational water distribution system and supply of water on a volumetric basis subject to certain ceilings and rational pricing. Scientific water management, farm practices and sprinkler and drip system of irrigation are being adopted in different parts of the country.

Small and marginal farmers in hilly and remote areas of Uttarakhand face several problems related to irrigation of their small land holdings: use of water for irrigation, microfinance availability for infrastructure facilities and implements. In this context, we would like to request members to share:

• Experiences of existing arrangements of micro financing from government and other agencies  for minor irrigation
• Examples of schemes, projects and programmes of micro financing for individuals as well as Groups for use in minor irrigation and community based water management systems
• Experiences of community based water management systems and innovative technologies/processes of irrigation in India and other developing countries, especially adopted in mountain and remote areas

Your suggestions will help us to formulate a strategy and innovative programs for supporting small and marginal farmers in providing microfinance services for irrigation through banks/MFIs. It will also guide line department and NGOs of Uttarkashi for developing better community based water management systems.

Please see attachment below for the responses.