1.2 Detalles de contacto de las personas de referencia e instituciones involucradas en la evaluación y la documentación del Enfoque

Nombre de la(s) institución(es) que facilitaron la documentación/ evaluación del Enfoque si fuera relevante)

Watershed Organisation Trust (WOTR) (Watershed Organisation Trust (WOTR)) - India

1.3 Condiciones referidas al uso de datos documentados mediante WOCAT

¿Cuándo se compilaron los datos (en el campo)?

22/04/2023

El compilador y la/s persona(s) de referencia claves aceptan las condiciones acerca del uso de los datos documentados mediante WOCAT :

Sí

2.1 Breve descripción del Enfoque

The group micro-irrigation (GMI) approach encourages farmers to share water more sustainably by facilitating cooperative management of irrigation resources. The aim is to improve water security and agricultural productivity by promoting climate-resilient agricultural practices and addressing the behavioural factors that influence water resource sharing.

2.2 Descripción detallada del Enfoque MST

Descripción detallada del Enfoque MST:

The group micro-irrigation (GMI) approach encourages farmers to share water more sustainably by facilitating cooperative management of irrigation resources in semi-arid regions. The aim is to improve water security and agricultural productivity by promoting climate-resilient agricultural (CRA) practices and addressing the behavioural factors that influence water resource sharing. By treating water as a shared community resource rather than private property, GMI promotes equitable distribution and sustainable use of limited water resources among farmers by organizing farmer groups and utilizing shared water management infrastructure.
The GMI approach is divided into four major components: (1) supply-side groundwater management to recharge and conserve water sources, (2) demand-side management via efficient micro-irrigation systems, (3) promotion of CRA practices to improve soil health, and (4) integration of applied research to develop tools that allow farmers to assess and improve their agricultural practices. These components aim to optimize water use, reduce crop production costs, and encourage farmer collaboration for shared resources and access to advanced agricultural technologies.
The primary objectives of the GMI approach are to improve water productivity, enhance crop yield, and reduce dependency on groundwater for irrigation, especially in regions facing water scarcity. Through group collaboration, the approach also aims to reduce individual investment costs for farmers, facilitate access to subsidies, and increase resilience to climate fluctuations. Additionally, by integrating CRA practices, GMI supports sustainable agricultural practices that contribute to long-term soil health and ecosystem stability.
The GMI approach involves several methods, including:
•Groundwater Management: rainwater harvesting and construction of soil and water conservation structures to replenish groundwater levels.
•Micro-Irrigation Systems: installation of shared drip and sprinkler irrigation systems that optimize water use and are accessible to all group members.
•CRA Practices: seed treatment, crop spacing, intercropping & trap cropping, applying farmyard manure (FYM), vermicompost, and organic waste compost, and making use of organic inputs, Bio-pest management practices including the use of pheromone traps, light traps, and bio-pesticides.
•Applied Research: use of tools like crop water budgeting, groundwater testing, and field book record-keeping, enabling farmers to make data-driven decisions.
The implementation of GMI involves four stages:
•Planning and Assessment: identifying suitable villages, farmer groups, and available water resources. Farmers with similar irrigation needs are grouped based on geographic proximity and water source access.
•Infrastructure Development: establishing common irrigation systems and water conservation structures, including dug wells, check dams, and pipelines.
•Training and Capacity Building: educating farmers on CRA practices, irrigation management, and using applied research tools for decision-making.
•Monitoring and Evaluation: regular assessment of crop and water productivity, adjustment of practices based on field data, and continuous training to ensure sustainability.
The GMI approach involves a range of stakeholders:
•Farmers: key participants who manage day-to-day operations, share resources, and implement CRA practices.
•Watershed Organisation Trust (WOTR): the primary implementing organization, providing technical support, training, and ongoing assessment.
•Local Government: supports funding for infrastructure, provides access to subsidies, and helps promote CRA practices.
•Agricultural Experts and Researchers: developing tools for applied research and supporting data analysis to improve productivity and water efficiency.
Farmers value the GMI approach for a variety of reasons, including lower individual investment, access to reliable water resources, and increased crop productivity. The cooperative aspect has strengthened community bonds and ensured equal access to resources. However, some farmers were initially hesitant to share water resources and bear the upfront costs of micro-irrigation systems. These concerns faded as the benefits of increased productivity and resource efficiency became clear.

2.3 Fotos del Enfoque

2.5 País/ región/ lugares donde el Enfoque fue aplicado

2.6 Fechas de inicio y conclusión del Enfoque

2.7 Tipo de Enfoque

• proyecto/ basado en un programa

2.8 Propósitos/ objetivos principales del Enfoque

The primary goal of the GMI approach is to boost agricultural productivity by ensuring consistent irrigation access, particularly in water-scarce areas. It focuses on improving water use through shared micro-irrigation systems, ensuring efficient and equitable resource distribution among farmers. Furthermore, the approach encourages climate-resilient practices that improve soil health and crop resilience, allowing farmers to adapt to climate variability. By encouraging collaboration within farming communities, GMI creates a cooperative framework for sharing resources and lowering individual costs. Finally, it seeks to improve rural sustainability by reducing production costs, increasing income stability, and promoting food security.

2.9 Condiciones que facilitan o impiden la implementación de la/s Tecnología/s aplicadas bajo el Enfoque

3.1 Partes interesadas involucradas en el Enfoque y sus roles

3.2 Involucramiento de los usuarios locales de tierras/ comunidades locales en las distintas fases del Enfoque

	Involucramiento de los usuarios locales de tierras/ comunidades locales	Especifique quién se involucró y describa las actividades
iniciación/ motivación	interactivo	Local farmers were actively engaged during the initiation phase, participating in discussions facilitated by the Watershed Organisation Trust (WOTR) to understand the benefits of the GMI model. They expressed their interest in sustainable water management practices
planificación	interactivo	Farmers contributed to planning sessions where they identified their needs and preferences for irrigation practices. They collaborated with WOTR to outline the logistics of water sharing and resource management
implementación	interactivo	Local farmers played a crucial role in implementing the GMI model by assisting in the installation of irrigation infrastructure, such as drip systems and automation technologies. They also participated in de-silting the selected well to enhance its capacity for water storage
monitoreo y evaluación	interactivo	Farmers were involved in monitoring the effectiveness of the irrigation system and evaluating its impact on crop yields. They provided feedback on water usage, crop performance, and any challenges faced, allowing for adjustments to be made collaboratively with WOTR.
research	interactivo	Farmers participated in research activities aimed at better understanding their mental models of water sharing. They collaborated with researchers to provide insights into their experiences, beliefs, and attitudes towards cooperative water management practices under the GMI model.

3.3 Flujograma (si estuviera disponible)

3.4 La toma de decisiones en la selección de Tecnología(s) MST

Especifique quién decidió la selección de las Tecnología/ Tecnologías a implementarse:

• todos los actores relevantes, como parte de un enfoque participativo

Especifique las bases que sustentaron la toma de decisiones:

• la evaluación de conocimiento MST bien documentado (la toma de decisiones se basa en evidencia)
• hallazgos de investigaciones
• la experiencia personal y opiniones (no documentadas)

4.1 Construcción de capacidades / capacitación

¿Se proporcionó la capacitación a usuarios de tierras/ otras partes interesadas?

Sí

Especifique quién fue capacitado:

• usuarios de tierras
• personal de campo/ consejeros

Si fuese relevante, también especifique género, edad, estatus, etnicidad, etc.

The training primarily involved local farmers from Tigalkheda, including small, medium, and large landholders. Participants were predominantly male, but women also participated in some training sessions. The age range varied from young adults to older farmers

Forma de capacitación:

• en el contexto de trabajo
• de agricultor a agricultor
• áreas de demostración
• reuniones públicas

Temas avanzados:

Water management practices, micro-irrigation systems installation, maintenance of drip irrigation, fertigation technologies, sustainable agricultural practices, climate-resilient farming techniques, cooperative management, collective decision-making and resource sharing among farmers.

4.2 Servicio de asesoría

¿Los usuarios de tierras tienen acceso a un servicio de asesoría?

Sí

Especifique si servicio proporcionado se realizó:

• en los campos de los usuarios de tierras
• en centros permanentes

4.3 Fortalecimiento institucional (desarrollo institucional)

¿Se establecieron o fortalecieron instituciones mediante el Enfoque?

• sí, mucho

Especifique el nivel o los niveles en los que se fortalecieron o establecieron las instituciones:

• local
• regional

Especifique el tipo de apoyo:

• financiero
• construcción de capacidades/ entrenamiento
• equipo

4.4 Monitoreo y evaluación

¿El monitoreo y la evaluación forman parte del Enfoque?

Sí

Comentarios:

Monitoring and evaluation are integral components of the GMI approach, for the assessment of its effectiveness in promoting sustainable water-sharing practices and improving agricultural productivity among local farmers.

Si respondió que sí, ¿la documentación se utilizará para monitoreo y evaluación?

Sí

Comentarios:

The documentation serves as a valuable resource for monitoring and evaluating the implementation and impact of the GMI model, providing insights into farmer behaviors, water management practices, and overall project outcomes

4.5 Investigación

¿La investigación formó parte del Enfoque?

Sí

Especifique los temas:

• sociología
• economía/ marketing
• ecología
• tecnología

• Agriculture

Proporcione detalles adicionales e indique quién hizo la investigación:

Research was conducted by Miss. Upasana Koli, Dr. Arun Bhagat, and Dr. Marcella D’Souza from the Watershed Organisation Trust (WOTR). The focus of the research included understanding the mental models that promote water sharing for agriculture through the GMI approach. It examined behavioural aspects related to water resource management, cooperative practices among farmers, and the socio-economic impacts of adopting sustainable irrigation technologies. The findings aim to inform policymakers and practitioners about effective water-sharing policies and sustainable agricultural interventions.
Arun Bhagat: Contributed to the conceptualization, methodology design, investigation, data curation, formal analysis, original draft writing, and reviewing and editing of the manuscript.
Upasana Koli: Contributed to the conceptualization, methodology design, investigation, and data curation for the study.
Marcella D'Souza: Provided supervision and contributed to conceptualizing the research project.

5.1 Presupuesto anual para el componente MST del Enfoque

Si no se conoce el presupuesto anual preciso, indique el rango:

• 2,000-10,000

Comentarios (ej. fuentes principales de financiamiento/ donantes principales):

The annual budget varies between 2000-10000 US$. GIZ acts as a core funder, primarily supporting project design, monitoring, and capacity-building activities. However, co-funding comes from various sources:
1.State Government: Provides subsidies for micro-irrigation systems and infrastructure, such as those under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY).
2.WOTR: Contributes technical expertise, facilitates training, and monitors implementation, often covering operational costs.
3.Farmers: Contribute funds for system maintenance and may also pool resources for initial installations.
Regarding training, WOTR plays a pivotal role, offering on-field demonstrations and workshops on water management, climate-resilient agriculture, and system maintenance. Farmers benefit from continuous knowledge sharing and capacity-building initiatives.
•Tigalkheda is a semi-arid village in Maharashtra's Bhokardan block, spanning approximately 32.34 acres, as mentioned in the documentation.
•The GMI approach involves 14 farmers, all managing plots within this shared irrigation system.
•Further, within a single village several GMI models can be created based on the farmer groups.

5.2 Apoyo financiero/material proporcionado a los usuarios de tierras

¿Los usuarios de tierras recibieron financiamiento/ apoyo material para implementar la Tecnología/ Tecnologías? :

Sí

Si respondió sí, especifique el tipo o los tipos de apoyo, condiciones y proveedor(es) :

Support: Farmers received subsidies for the installation of micro-irrigation systems and installation of the pumping system and pipe distribution network.
Condition: The farmer should be a member of the GMI group and ready to contribute financially to maintaining the GMI model.
Providers: Government Bodies: Local and national government (Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY); Partial funding from GIZ; Knowledge & implementation support by WOTR.

5.3 Subsidios para insumos específicos (incluyendo mano de obra)

• mano de obra

• equipo

• agrícola

• construcción

Si la mano de obra de usuarios de tierras fue un insumo sustancial, ¿fue:

• voluntario?

5.4 Crédito

¿Se proporcionó crédito bajo el Enfoque para actividades MST?

Sí

Especifique las condiciones (tasa de interés el apoyo, amortización, etc.):

Interest rate: 8.3 to 10.1%, payback period: NA

Especifique los proveedores de crédito:

Banks, Private lenders,

Especifique los destinatarios del crédito :

Farmers

5.5 Otros incentivos o instrumentos

¿Se usaron otros incentivos o instrumentos para promover la implementación de Tecnologías MST?

Sí

Si fuera el caso, especifique :

Supporting Policies: Government policies such as the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY) provide financial assistance for micro-irrigation technologies

6.1 Impactos del Enfoque

6.2 Motivación principal del usuario de la tierra para implementar MST

6.3 Sostenibilidad de las actividades del Enfoque

¿Pueden los usuarios de tierras sostener lo que se implementó mediante el Enfoque (sin apoyo externo)?

• sí

Si respondió que sí, describa cómo:

Farmers in Tigalkheda have developed a strong sense of ownership over the GMI approach. They have gained valuable knowledge and skills through training sessions provided by WOTR, enabling them to manage irrigation systems effectively. The cooperative structure established among local farmers facilitates resource sharing and collective decision-making, ensuring that they can maintain the technologies implemented. Additionally, the financial support received through subsidies has alleviated initial investment burdens, allowing farmers to sustain operations independently over time. This sustainability is further supported by the ongoing commitment of farmers to engage in sustainable agricultural practices, as they recognize the long-term benefits of improved water management and crop productivity for their livelihoods and the environment.

6.4 Fortalezas/ ventajas del Enfoque

Fuerzas/ ventajas/ oportunidades desde la perspectiva del usuario de la tierra
1) Improved Water Management Farmers appreciate the effective management of water resources through the GMI which allows for better distribution and utilization of water, leading to enhanced crop yields.
2) Increased Crop Productivity The implementation of micro-irrigation technologies has resulted in higher agricultural output, which is crucial for the livelihoods of local farmers.
3) Community Collaboration The approach promotes cooperation and shared responsibility in managing irrigation resources.
4) Access to Financial Support Availability of subsidies and financial assistance has made it easier for farmers to adopt new technologies, reducing the economic burden of transitioning to sustainable practices.

Fuerzas/ ventajas/ oportunidades desde la perspectiva del compilador o de otra persona de referencia clave
1) Sustainability of Practices The GMI approach emphasizes sustainable agricultural practices that enhance long-term resilience against climate variability and water scarcity.
2) Capacity Building Training programs have significantly improved the skills and knowledge of farmers, enabling them to implement and maintain sustainable land management technologies effectively.
3) Access to Market Information Farmers were connected with the Farmer Producing Organisation (FPO) for accessing timely market information.
4) Reduction in Conflicts Over Water Resources By establishing clear water-sharing agreements among users, the GMI model has reduced competition and conflicts over water resources in the community

6.5 Debilidades/ desventajas del Enfoque y formas de sobreponerse a ellos

Debilidades/ desventajas/ riesgos desde la perspectiva del usuario de la tierra	¿Cómo sobreponerse a ellas?
1) Initial Costs of Technology Implementation While subsidies help, some farmers still find the initial costs of installing micro-irrigation systems prohibitive	Increased awareness about available financial assistance and community pooling of resources could help mitigate these costs.
2)Maintenance Challenges Some farmers lack the technical skills needed for ongoing maintenance of irrigation systems.	Regular training sessions focused on maintenance skills can empower farmers to manage their systems effectively.
3) Dependence on Weather Conditions The success of irrigation practices is still heavily reliant on overall weather patterns, which can be unpredictable.	Implementing rainwater harvesting techniques alongside micro-irrigation could provide additional water security during dry spells.

Debilidades/ desventajas/ riesgos desde la perspectiva del compilador o de otra persona de referencia clave	¿Cómo sobreponerse a ellas?
1) Scalability Issues The GMI model may face challenges in scaling up due to varying local conditions across different regions.	Tailoring approaches to specific local contexts while maintaining core principles could enhance scalability.
2) Sustainability of Financial Support There is uncertainty regarding the long-term availability of subsidies and financial support from government programs.	Advocating for policy changes that ensure sustained funding for sustainable agriculture initiatives could address this issue.
3) Cultural Resistance to Change Some farmers may resist adopting new technologies due to traditional practices.	Engaging community leaders and demonstrating successful case studies can help shift perspectives towards embracing innovation.
4) Limited Research on Long-Term Impacts There is a need for more comprehensive research on the long-term impacts of the GMI approach on both agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability.	Collaborating with academic institutions for ongoing research projects can provide valuable insights into effectiveness and areas for improvement

7.1 Métodos/ fuentes de información

7.2 Referencias a publicaciones disponibles

Título, autor, año, ISBN:

Book chapter: Understanding the Mental Models that Promote Water Sharing for Agriculture Through Group Micro-Irrigation Models in Maharashtra, India. Authors: Upasana Koli, Arun Bhagat & Marcella D’Souza Year: 2023 Print ISBN978-981-99-2205-5 Online ISBN978-981-99-2206-2

¿Dónde se halla disponible? ¿Costo?

https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-981-99-2206-2_15

Título, autor, año, ISBN:

Report Bhagat A, and Koli U. (2022). Effectiveness of Group Micro Irrigation Model and Package of Agricultural Practices in Enhancing Climate Resilience in Semi-Arid Region of Maharashtra, Watershed Organisation Trust (WOTR), Pune

¿Dónde se halla disponible? ¿Costo?

https://wotr-website-publications.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/Effectiveness_GMI_Climate_Resilient_Semi_Arid_Maharashtra.pdf

7.3 Vínculos a la información relevante disponible en línea

Título/ descripción:

Climate-resilient strategies for sustainable management of water resources and agriculture

URL:

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11356-021-14332-4

Título/ descripción:

Economics, adoption determinants, and impacts of micro-irrigation technologies: empirical results from India

URL:

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00271-007-0065-0