Socio-economic Impact of Batch–V (2013-14) Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana Watersheds in West Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana(PMKSY) watershed development programimplemented in the west Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh influencesthe changes in the socio-economic conditions of people.In Ganapavaram, Lakshmi Narayana Devi Peta (LND Peta) and Alliveru mega watershed projects of West Godavari district as a part of the Entry Point Activities (EPAs) component,129 works are executed with an expenditure of Rs.68.65 lakhs which is 4.06 percentof the project cost in three project areas. Besides, underNatural Resource Management (NRM) component,413 works were executed with an expenditure of Rs.730.57 lakhs, which is 43.15 percent of the project cost in project areas and as a part of the PSI component, 856 implementswere supplied with an expenditure of Rs.77.67 lakhs, which is 4.59 percent of the project cost in the project areas.These watershed interventions, bring changes in the socio-economic conditions of people i.e., the average Illiteracy rate declined from 65.83% to 42.75%, safe drinking water supplies improved by 26.54%,the mean gross income of households increased by 58.65 percent, thenumber of person-days/yr/family in agriculture and non-agriculture-related activities during the projectimplementation period increased by 24.34% (31 person-days) and 19.71% (22person-days) respectively also increased theWage earningson an average by Rs.90/- (32.93%) per day for men from Rs.273/- to Rs.363/- and Rs.42/- (25.77%) per day for women from Rs.162/- to Rs.203/- during the project period.Due to the impacts of watershed management interventionsemployment and wage rates were increased, which helped in the reduction of migration from rural to urban areas by 28.18%.