the impact of National Watershed Project in increasing agricultural production from water-stressed areas

The project aims to fulfil the watershed component of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMSKY) to reduce surface runoff of rainwater, increase groundwater levels and ensure better water availability in rain fed areas. This will contribute to higher agricultural production even in water-stressed areas. 

Impact of National Watershed Project in increasing agricultural production in water-stressed areas. 

•It was launched for achieving the major objectives of the watershed component of the PMKSY and for ensuring access to irrigation to every farm (Har Khet Ko Pani) and efficient use of water (Per Drop More Crop) 

•It will bring about institutional changes in watershed and rain-fed agricultural management practices in India. 

•It will help to build systems that ensure watershed programmes and rain-fed irrigation management practices are better focused, and more coordinated, and have quantifiable results. 

•It will devise strategies for the sustainability of improved watershed management practices in programme areas, even after the withdrawal of project support. 

•The watershed project will lead to reducing surface runoff of rainwater. 

•It will increase recharge of ground water. 

•It will result in better availability in rain-fed areas resulting in incremental rain-fed agriculture productivity. 

•It will also translate into enhanced milk yields. 

•It will increase cropping intensity in such areas through better convergence of related programmes in project areas. 

•Watershed development projects are area development programme and all people living in the project area will be benefited. 

However, despite these successes, a number of challenges remain for watershed development to achieve better outcomes, including enhanced participation of communities, building stronger capacities and systems to plan, implement, monitor and post-project sustainability of local institutions and assets. These challenges, if not resolved, can result in implementation delays, slow disbursements and benefits.