TY  - BOOK
AU  - Kynjing, Wansaka D.
AU  - Singh, S. B.
TI  - Economic analysis of Umton Syiem watershed, Meghalaya
U1  - 361.60954164 
PY  - 2012///
CY  - Umiam
PB  - CPGS, CAU
KW  - Umton Syiem Watershed-Economic Analysis
KW  - Meghalaya
N2  - Abstract:

Agriculture in  Meghalaya state,  North  Eastern  Hill  Region (NEHR) of India, witnessed the  problems of uneven topography,  heavy runoff and  soil erosion, small landholdings and most importantly, the predominant jhuming system. To counteract these problems and for improving the livelihood of rural households on a sustainable basis, the Government of India under the Department of Land Resources, Ministry of Rural Development,  sponsored  the  Integrated Wasteland Development Programme (IWDP)  in Meghalaya. The scheme has been implemented by the Soil and Water Conservation Department, Government of Meghalaya. Keeping the above facts in view, the study on Economic Analysis of Umton Syiem Watershed, Meghalaya was planned with the objectives: to study the land-use, resources-use pattern and productivity of crops and livestock, to analyse the impact on income, employment and equity and to observe the problems and constraints faced by different stakeholders in the implementation of the watershed project and suggest suitable policy measures. Primary data was collected from 100 households distributed in  two villages  in Umton Syiem watershed and 2 villages  in non-watershed area in East Khasi Hills district using personal interview method and pre-tested schedule during the agriculture year 2011-12.   Simple tabular analysis, averages, percentages, paired t-test, Gini Concentration Ratio (GCR), Lorenz curve and Garrett‟s Ranking Technique were used to achieve the above defined objectives. The study revealed that the land use pattern changed significantly in the watershed area distributing more areas into fruits/orchards and forest trees. The area under upland terrace/contour cultivation and  jhuming  remained unchanged.  The cropping  intensity  remained more or less similar in both the Umton Syiem watershed (150.96 per cent) and non-watershed area (149.55 per cent). The per acre productivity of paddy  is more (1.3 ton) in the watershed area than in the non-watershed area (1.47 ton) signifying a difference of 13.08 per cent. Similar observations were seen for  maize, cabbage, cauliflower  etc. Ultimately, the average annual income of the farm households  is moderately higher by 10.79 percent in Umton-Syiem watershed than the non-watershed area. It is contributed mainly by the significant increase in  farm income  resulting from  orchard plantation and livestock. The dependence of households on forest produce also decreased significantly in the watershed area. The income distribution among the sample households is more uneven in the watershed area than in the non-watershed area. The per family employment level was also higher in the watershed area indicating more employment opportunities by the project. Late release of fund, insufficient fund, unsuitable watershed guidelines, non-cooperation from line departments, financial problem, marketing problem and unpredictable weather are the various constraints and problems faced by the project officers and by the farmers and financial problem is the main constraint and problem faced by the self help groups.  It can be concluded that the watershed project  has a positive impact on efficient land utilisation, improving productivity and increasing income. However, the project could  not meet the equity objective. It concludes that the watershed project could increase the income of the rural households without achieving the equity objective. It suggests more attention to the landless and marginal farmers by providing suitable income earning and employment opportunities
ER  -