Building the Knowledge Base, Analysis of data & preparatory work for implementing the strategy

9.1 The data collection would be taken up to fulfil following objectives.

• Information required for application of hydrological models for working out the water balance and estimate the availability of water in the form of productively utilised soil moisture (Sum Eta, run off, recharge).

• Estimation of consumptive water use for evaluation of various options of land use, crop pattern, i.e. relative proportions of annals & perennials including trees and field crops.

• Study of productivity and efficiency of water and nutrient use for planning as well as performance monitoring.

9.1.1 The process of database building will proceed in two phases with adaptation to local conditions. In the first phase observations will be made in a few small watersheds where a storage tank is available. The advantage of using storage tank is that it admits of use of simple equipment and measurements that can be carried out by rural observers with limited education after a short period of training.

The measurements required are only of daily rainfall, pan evaporation and water levels in the tank and surface areas of the tanks.

9.1.2 Precision is not required in estimation of infiltration parameter in most catchments except where there are large areas with clay soils. The lower limit of the infiltration parameter can be determined by reconnaissance. Trial values can be verified by analysing the data to get the best fit of rainfall and observed runoff. Refinements can be made by using scientific methods combined with participative approaches. Rural participants would be trained to establish soil characteristics and verify the fertility, identify soil limitation by simple test. The parameters of interest would be soil moisture storage in root zone and infiltration capacity.

By choosing data sets for period where there is no tank overflow the need for discharge measurement is avoided.

9.1.3 Effects of inter flow and consequent delayed run-off can be neglected when data sets comprise of increments of tank storage are determined in rainfall situations for sequences where periods of heavy rain alternate with dry spells of about 5 to 10 days. 9.1.4 Importance will be given to verify the parameter p, which defines the relationship between soil moisture deficit and the ratio of actual evapo-transpiration (Eta) and the consumptive use for maximum yield (Etm).

9.1.5 Losses due to direct evaporation from surface water accumulation or water logged soil can very well be estimated since such areas can be very easily identified by participation of rural communities.

9.1.6 Participative approaches are useful to optimise treatment to induce temporary detention for inducing infiltration to enhance productive use of soil moisture such as trench and bunding. The main consideration would be increased storage root zone storage.

9.1.7 The effort in carrying out field surveys for determination of soil moisture storage values for root zones can be optimised by use of satellite imagery to identify areas of comparatively high greenness indices over extended period. Soils can be sampled and tests done in field to validate values of soil moisture storage in the root zone (SaD) values estimated from the duration of post monsoon ‘greenness’.

9.1.8 Checks on water & biomass balance can be exercised through rapid field assessment in a participative mode. Thereafter in selected areas soil sampling and testing can be done by conducting infiltration tests and sampling of soils. The effort for such detailed measurement can be significantly reduced by rapid methods, which use field classification data with measurement of infiltration rates in augur holes for offering values of 'classification parameters' or ‘index values’. A small number of detailed and precise tests can be made by sampling among the location grouped according to narrow range of values of the augur hole infiltration rates and classification combined with associated field classification data. (Reference 14 Suhas Paranjape, K.J. Joy et.al)

9.1.9 For large tanks the analysis can be easily extended and reliability enhanced wherever the water balance study in the small tanks is being carried out concurrently. The data requirement in the large tank will only be evaporation, rainfall on a daily basis tank water spread area and levels.

9.1.10 If discharge measurements are not available the analysis can be limited to spells where tank overflow did not take place. By identifying tanks, which do not overflow for a number of years, model parameters can be estimated with the reasonable level of accuracy in a two-year period.

9.1.11 By use of services of small core staff of professionals and the complementary efforts of locally trained observers, qualitative upgradation in the system of natural resource data management can be achieved in a cost effective manner. The approach has the capacity to overcome the limitation of the present system which relies on the government staff or scientific institutions which are removed from the fieldwork of investigation and implementation of development projects.

9.2 Methodology, Budget, Maps & Time horizon

9.2.1 The methodology for natural resource data management is described in SOPPECOM unpublished report NRDMS (Reference 21). Important aspects such as topographical survey, mapping, presentation of data, land classification, ground water studies are elaborately dealt in this report and publication. An indicative budget is also given for two years of work; this being essential for micro-zonation, calibration of models. Verification of parameters with regard to productivity and water use efficiency will be done through measurement and monitoring followed by documentation of good practices. The data will be analysed to establish the relevant parameters with regard to present status and normative performance.

9.2 Organizational structure

Junior scientific assistant (technical graduate level with training and guidance), With advice by an expert team rendered by use of IT and checking done by senior scientific assistant.

Tasks:

Train and guide team of local youth for data collection according to following categories ƒ Mapping and topographical survey

ƒ Field measurements of rainfall, evaporation, soil moisture status ƒ Stream flow, water level of tanks

ƒ Water use on the farm and inputs productivity for individual farms recording on standard charts

ƒ Soil classification test, infiltration, moisture holding capacity, pH

ƒ Productivity assessment for farmers field and experimental plots (refer appendix 10. B)

9.3 Verification of the ground water availability by analysis of well data

A preliminary estimate of potential recharge would be obtained from the water balance studies. After carrying out the pumping test and examination of the draw down data the availability of ground water from draw down in the post-monsoon period can be estimated. The well data can be verified by working out the water use from hours of operation of the pumps and estimated flow rates. The losses can then be estimated by comparison with the information on field water application. A comparative study of the above data values would be used to arrive at the realistic estimates of ground water availability.

9.4 Performance evaluation of farmers & verification of productivity parameters An estimate of the yield potential will be made for each individual field after steps are taken to provide the optimum quantity of water and limited chemical inputs in combination with necessary organic inputs. A comparison of actual observed yield with the above estimates would provide a basis for performance evaluation of the farmers and they can be grouped and categorized with regard to crop management performance. Experimental programme will then focus on farmers selected according to the grouping. The employment assistance for soil improvement will then be available to the farmers who come forward to participate in the experiments for field-testing of the parameters of the strategy. Among the farmers who achieve the desired extent of soil improvement water would be made available on trial basis. Employment assistance will be provided according to the provisions in the strategy to ascertain whether the assistance is adequate to achieve the water use efficiency and productivity with organic inputs from green manure and recycling of crop residues.

9.5 Preparatory work for the implementation of the strategy

The knowledge base will be used to prepare draft perspective plans for presentation to the gram sabha and associations of the functional groups (e.g. water & energy users’ group, women’s wasteland development and self help groups). The initial activities would be creating awareness of opportunities and micro macro interactions to arrive at consensus on water allocation, land use and entitlements to water & produce from wasteland development at public costs. Negotiations can then be taken up regarding sharing of benefits between land owners and the landless from the identified spearheading groups who would desire to participate in the operation research projects, section 14.