From Siltation to Sustainability: A Farmer Centered Assessment of Farm Pond Degradation and Conservation Priorities in Palakkad

Abstract

Background: Farm ponds are among the most widely promoted on-farm water-harvesting structures for emergency or supplementary irrigation and for stabilising crop production in rainfed and semi-arid tracts. Over time, however, many of these structures lose their functional efficiency because of a combination of physical, financial and institutional constraints. Aims: The present study in Palakkad district was undertaken to identify, from the farmers' own perspective, the principal factors responsible for farm pond degradation and the conservation measures they consider most desirable for restoring these structures. Study design: Primary data were collected through a pre-tested, well-structured interview schedule. A cross-sectional farm survey was conducted, and the data were analysed using Garrett’s ranking technique. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in Palakkad district, Kerala, India, between February and April 2026. Methodology: Data were collected from 200 farmers owning farm ponds, each of whom ranked six degradation factors and six conservation measures in order of perceived importance. Henry Garrett's ranking technique was employed to convert the ordinal ranks into standard scores and thereby establish an objective order of priority. Results: Siltation emerged as the most severe degradation factor (mean Garrett score 66.065), followed by lack of funds (57.055), bund degradation (50.220), weed infestation (49.630) and ownership-related issues (42.795). Among the conservation measures, desilting was ranked first (66.315), followed by government support (61.925), bund strengthening (53.930), regular cleaning (50.000) and vegetative buffers (43.125). Conclusion: The findings indicate that a combination of periodic desilting, embankment strengthening and institutional financial support is central to sustaining farm ponds and, by extension, the water security of smallholder farming systems. The study offers practical direction for extension agencies and policymakers seeking to design targeted, farmer-responsive pond rehabilitation programmes.