Impact of small dams on agriculture and groundwater development: A case study from Pakistan (original) (raw)
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Pak. J. Engg. & Appl. Sci …, 2012
The water scarcity issues are increasing through out the world. Pakistan is also facing water crises and its water demands are increasing every day. During this research it is investigated that small dams are playing an important role for the sustainability of groundwater and agriculture. The main objective of this study was to assess the environmental impacts of small dam on agricultural and ground water. Proper planning and management of small dams may improve the sustainable agriculture in Pakistan. It is also concluded that small dams are significantly contributing towards economy, environment, local climate, recreational activities and crop production. Small dams can also be utilized for the production of electricity at local level. On the other hand, water management issues can be resolved by the involvement of local farmer's associations. Water losses through seepage, unlined channels and old irrigational methods are most critical in developing world. Considering the overall positive environmental impacts, construction of small dams must be promoted.
Impacts of Mini Dams on Socioeconomic Development of Farmers of Rainfed Region
Purpose of this research was to study the impact of dams on the socioeconomic development of resource poor farmers of arid rural areas. For this purpose, a questionnaire comprising of 14 questions was designed. The study was carried out by taking a sample of 6 mini dams and interviewing their owners regarding crop production and economic benefits after construction of dams. Performance of mini dams was estimated in two aspects. One aspect was their effects on income of farmers and other non economic benefits like farm mechanization and increase in farm employees, while second aspect was the satisfaction level of farmers. Farmers being benefited by irrigation had income of 4,054 thousand rupees before dams but after construction of dams, they were earning gross income of 35,375 thousand rupees, which is 873% more than previous income, which clearly tells that these farmers are well off from socioeconomic view point. Combined mean of satisfaction level of farmers on these gains was 4.36 on Likert scale, which indicates that farmers are satisfied. Hence, there is dire need to construct more dams so that maximum amount of runoff water can be utilized for irrigation of crops, which is otherwise useless.
Journal of Xi’an Shiyou University, Natural Science Edition, 2022
In terms of area, Balochistan is a big province of Pakistan mostly dominated by an arid to semiarid climate. The people of the province are mostly dependent on agriculture and livestock and these sectors are directly affected by the scarcity of water. Zhob district of Balochistan having Sabakzai Dam (SBD) is one of the districts of Balochistan which not only receive winter rainfall from western disturbances but sometimes monsoon rains too. To fulfil the water requirement for cultivation in a semiarid climate the delay action dams are of utmost importance. Most of the people in the study area have access to the Sabakzai Dam (SBD) water for irrigation. The pre-SBD and post-SBD scenarios show that the agricultural land use has increased, and previous barren land has been brought under plough. Also helpful in rising the depleting water table of the area. This is the key to reducing poverty in the region of subsistence economy and will encourage settled life.
Agricultural Productivity Impact of a Mini-Dam: A Case Study of Ziarat, Balochistan
The Pakistan Development Review
Water is the most important constituent of life without which, life cannot exist. Water is a natural resource which is also used as an input for producing different goods in factories for industrial use, productivity of crops for agriculture use also used in our daily life for domestic purpose. Despite such an importance, still the World is experiencing the issue of water scarcity [WCD (2000)]. The supply of water does not meet its demand [Bengali (2009)]. Pakistan is an agrarian economy which is also heavily dependent on water. About 45 percent of the total employment is generated from Agriculture sector [Pakistan (2011)]. Main sources of water are rivers and rainfall. Balochistan is the largest province of Pakistan. Land size is 44 percent of the total land of Pakistan [Balochistan (2010)]. Land is fertile and provides conducive environment for Agriculture. Agriculture productivity is high in Balochistan. Many vegetables and crops are grown which results in many farmers and labour...
Impact of Water Resources Management on Agriculture and Environment with Dungi Dam in Pothwar Area
Management of water resources in the arid regions of Pothwar is imperative for profitable agriculture and to keep the environment friendly. Government of the Punjab has constructed 31 small dams in the Pothwar region to store and conserve water for agriculture production and domestic use. The effective utilization of these dams can bring green revolution in the area. The reservoirs of these dams, however, are subject to huge evaporation losses. The estimated loss of water due to evaporation is 1.74 m/year which is about 20% of the storage capacity of these dams. The storage capacity of these dams has, however, reduced by about 25% due to silt deposition and vegetative growth. A study was conducted to document the impact of Dungi Dam on Agriculture, groundwater, environment and their positive effect on the socioeconomic conditions of the farmers. It was observed from the data that dam has increased the cropping intensity from 120% to 200% and yield of crops also increased from 150 to 167% and with the recharge to groundwater water table rises and become easy to farmers for drinking purpose. The installation of dug wells has increased many folds after the construction of the dam. The land use and crop intensities and crop yield have also increased many folds. Transformation of cropping pattern from traditional to high value crops has taken place. An analysis of inflow-outflow from the reservoirs shows that releases are meeting the designed water requirements resulting increase in cropping intensity as the planned value. However, if properly managed, more area could be irrigated with existing facilities and available water resources. This study also proposes strategies for efficient management of available water resources. The main conclusion of this study is this project is environment friendly.
Impact of Irrigation Project on Agricultural Land Holdings
Dams are the vital source to cater basic needs of water in the region. Water is essential for drinking purpose, irrigation for agriculture land, industry and many more. Dams are therefore, remain sole source of water. The present paper attempt to reveal the comparative assessment of the impact of irrigation development-that has taken place after the construction of dam on river Tulshi-on land holding. Investigation is based on intensive fieldwork of three sample villages in which the significant aspects like distribution of agriculture land, cultivated land, irrigated land and waste land are methodically analyzed and classified with the pre and post project proportion of land holding with individual village and sum of them. The analytical figures prevail that there is significant increment in irrigated and cultivated land in lieu of waste land.
Asian Economic and Social Society, 2017
This study investigated impact of Gomal Zam Dam (GZD) irrigation project on agriculture and welfare of farm households in Southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The study found immense effect of the project on increase in cultivated area and yield of wheat and gram crops, and diversification of traditional cropping pattern to commercialized farming with the addition of sugarcane and vegetables. The availability of irrigation water also induced cultivation of fodder crops which enabled farmers to add large ruminants to their livestock herds. All these changes resulted improvement in farmers' welfare and development in project area. There are various post project needs which are equally important for long term success. The most important of these needs are training of farmers on water use efficiency; provision of technical assistance on using high yielding seed varieties, chemical fertilizers and pesticides; and provision of credit and subsidies for dairy farming.