WATER KNOWLEDGE NOTE India Strengthening Irrigation Efficiency and Water Productivity The World Bank-supported Andhra Pradesh and Telangana State Community-Based Management (APCBTM) project (2007–16) in India benefited 605,052 people by strengthening the capacity of community- based institutions. The project developed and equipped 116,164 hectares of land with irrigation and drainage services. In addition, the project developed and rehabilitated tank irrigation infrastructure, supported farmers to improve their productivity, and increased cropping intensity by over 30%. Challenge Andhra Pradesh is a middle-income state on the southeast coast of India with a large agrarian population. The state, the fifth largest population in India, encompasses 8.3% of its land mass, and accounts for 7.1% of its gross domestic © World Bank. feeding and harvesting techniques and fishery management practices for farmer groups. Fishing Cooperative Societies (FCSs) and Farmer Interest Groups (FIGS) assumed greater responsibility for tank system management and for improvement of tank-based agricultural livelihoods. Results The project improved agricultural productivity as well as the diversification (into non-paddy crops) of agriculture commodities by upgrading technology and production practices. Minor irrigation systems improvements enhanced the © World Bank. efficiency of water use in tank areas selected under the project. ­ Tank systems improvements aimed to improve the physical and operational performance of selected tank systems, secure product (GDP). The state has approximately 74,000 tanks the safety of the tank structure, and improve water manage- that have the capacity to irrigate about 1.5 million hectares ment and  water use efficiency. By supporting the physical of land. With the largest area irrigated by tanks in the rehabilitation and modernization of tank and irrigation sys- country, the agricultural sector increased by 2.5% per year tems the project strengthened reservoir embankments, reno- from 1999 to 2006; almost all of this growth originated vated sluice/head regulators, and improved water distribution from the livestock and fisheries sub-sectors. through field channels. In the last decade, amidst droughts and lack of maintenance and management of tank irrigation systems, the tank irrigated Agricultural livelihoods support services enhanced tank- area declined significantly, with most tanks performing based livelihoods by increasing the production, productivity, below their capacity. Due to the lack of maintenance and and profitability of agriculture, horticulture, fisheries, an increase in the use of groundwater for irrigation, Andhra livestock, and other significant productive activities. Pradesh and Telangana experienced suboptimal performance of the agricultural crop sub-sector, which is approximately 60% of state domestic product from agriculture. Sound management of groundwater is crucial Approach for sustainability of tank The APCBTM project aimed to support tank-based producers and Water User Associations (WUA) in the irrigation systems. Indian states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana (Andhra Implemented in Andhra Pradesh between 2007 and 2016, Pradesh was bifurcated into two states in 2014). The the project showed the following results: project focused on improving agricultural productivity, strengthening community-based institutions, and • Rehabilitated 2,157 irrigation tanks, including 1,182 improving the sustainable management of groundwater tanks in Telangana and 975 tanks in Andhra Pradesh; resources through participatory groundwater management. • Provided irrigation and drainage services to 216,164 Groundwater plays an important role in tank irrigation hectares of land; systems. It is critical to soundly manage groundwater in • Increased cropping intensity by over 30%, and order to ensure sustainable benefits from tank improvement increase productivity of paddy by 36%, maize by programs—including enhancing agricultural productivity. 72%, and milk by 128%; • Strengthened 2,157 Water User Associations; The project adopted a participatory approach through training • 605,052 people were direct project beneficiaries of and capacity development activities that included improved these improvements; WATER GLOBAL PRACTICE | INDIA 2 © World Bank. • Organized 7,343 crop technology demonstrations and Actual amounts disbursed were US$71.59 million for the trained 42,000 farmers, enabling farmers to adopt IBRD loan and US$86.60 million for the IDA loan. Total improved cultivation and water management practices; amount disbursed was US$158.19 million. US$15 million • 57.4% farmers in tank command adopted improved were cancelled from the original loan amount due to production techniques; currency devaluation; and an additional US$10 million • Established 1,500 functioning farmer marketing groups; was saved through savings within the project components; • 76% of water users in rehabilitated tank systems and due to discontinuation of the livestock and foreshore communicated satisfaction with WUA operations and plantation sub-components at MTR. The borrower maintenance. contributed a total of US$17.58 million of counterpart funding, of which US$7 million were to be contributed by Bank Group Contribution Water User Associations (WUAs). The project was financed through a World Bank Specific The Bank’s role was critical to the project success by Investment Loan worth US$189 million split into an introducing innovative technology, sharing international IDA Credit worth US$94.50 million and an IBRD best practices, and facilitating cooperation between user Credit worth US$94.50 million. These amounts were groups, public departments, and the private sector including revised at restructuring to US$87 million for each loan. irrigation, agriculture, fishery, and agribusiness companies. WATER GLOBAL PRACTICE | INDIA 3 Partners Commodity  Interest Groups (CIG) members also benefitted from trainings on CIG formation, as well as The state governments of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana livelihood interventions and exposure visits for tribal CIGs. provided strong leadership for project inception and implementation. The project was managed through a Moving Forward Project Management Unit (PMU) established in the Command Area Development; and Corresponding The institutions established or supported by the project have District Project Units (DPUs) that were established at shown potential to support the long-term maintenance of the district level with smaller multi-disciplinary dedicated project results. In particular, capacity building activities teams. After the state split into Andhra Pradesh and supported institutions such as the Minor Irrigation Telangana, project management units in Telangana were Department to continue program activities after the created and carried out project activities. In addition, project’s closure. a project steering committee was set up to coordinate the annual irrigation, agriculture, fisheries, and rural Additionally, the state governments of Andhra Pradesh and development departments. Telangana indicated interest in continuing investments into securing the continued functioning of WUAs, including Beneficiaries financially supporting minor repairs and maintenance. Many WUAs maintain accurate cashbooks and collect The primary project beneficiaries include WUAs, annual assessed water charges; these revenues, combined fisheries cooperative societies, and farmer interest with state support, may meet the financial requirements for groups. Additionally, groundwater users and agricultural WUAs to continue operation and maintenance activities producers greatly benefitted from project activities. well into the future. Connect with the Water Global Practice www.worldbank.org/water worldbankwater@worldbank.org   @worldbankwater blogs.worldbank.org/water © 2019 International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank. Some rights reserved. 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