Case Study of the Day: Equitable Model of Irrigation: Drought-Prone Maharashtra

Atpadi (Sangli, Maharashtra)

• Atpadi, a taluka (administrative division) in the Sangli district of southern Maharashtra, covers approximately 60 villages with a population of over 1.5 lakh.
• It falls on the upper reaches of the Krishna basin, on the far eastern side of the Sahyadris, a region historically known as the rain-shadow region.
• Due to several droughts in the region over the years, it was referred to as the “land of dushkal” or “land of drought”.
• Groundwater exploitation is one of the many reasons that the region has experienced drought.

How an Equitable Model of Irrigation has Transformed the Landscape of Atpadi?

• The concept of equitable distribution of water comes from considering water a public resource. Every single person, whether a land-owner or not, has a right to water for irrigation.
• Using an integrated approach, it involves the use of water from the surface bodies and groundwater of the village, along with an exogenous supply through lift irrigation schemes.
• By equitable water distribution more land is cultivated which results in increasing productivity of land and more water usage efficiency which in turn leads to sustainable development.
• The village that used to see only maize and jowar is now witnessing growth of tomato, double chilly, grapes, pomegranate and cucumber.
• The Maharashtra government is now working to see how this model can be applied to other drought-prone regions of Marathwada.

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