Groundwater Governance through
Panchayat Raj Institutions in Andhra Pradesh
Progress Report
1st April to 30th June 2016
Bharati Integrated Rural Development Society (BIRDS)
# 26/130 B-2, EVA Nest, Gnanapuram, Nandyal (R.S) Kurnool District, Pin: 518 502, A.P, India.
Phone No: +91 8514 222266 | Fax: +91 8514 248444 |
E-mail: [email protected] | web: www.birdsorg.net
1. Introduction
The ‘Groundwater Governance through Panchayat Raj Institutions in Andhra Pradesh’ pilot project is
being implemented in five districts of Andhra Pradesh (Anantapur, Chittoor, Kadapa, Kurnool, and
Prakasam), where FAO-APFAMGS successfully demonstrated the impact of demand-side water
management in managing groundwater distress. In the pilot phase, the project aims to refurbish all
groundwater monitoring infrastructure and establish linkages with Gram Panchayat for improved
governance of this key resource. This initiative is co-funded by FAO and the Government of Andhra
Pradesh. It is expected that the pilot initiative will develop a model for upscaling the project to cover
all areas in these five districts.
The pilot project’s duration is one year. The project has two major components. The first focuses on
revitalizing the GMCs and HUNs formed under APFAMGS in 518 villages of the five districts.
Additionally, it invests in repairing the PHM monitoring equipment to ensure that data collection is
restored and done regularly. APFAMGS promoted Groundwater Monitoring Committees (GMCs) and
Hydrologic Unit Networks (HUNs) are taking lead in technical data generation, water budgeting, crop
planning and crop adoption. The second component focuses on initiating groundwater governance
through Gram Panchayats in 72 villages of Kurnool district. This includes elements of water sharing
to improve equity and access to water and thereby control new drilling and unsustainable wateruse.
This pilot is being implemented in close collaboration with the groundwater and agriculture
departments both for design of data collection formats and also for data validation. Additional
inputs will be drawn from the departments of Groundwater, Rural Water Supply department,
District Water Management Agency (DWMA), Micro Irrigation, Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry,
Soil Conservation, and Animal Husbandry in these districts as required.
BIRDS, the lead NGO in the erstwhile FAO-supported project is responsible for the project
implementation. Improved groundwater governance involves coordination with the six partner
agencies in implementing project activities such as, PHM data collection, data computerisation, data
analysis, conduct of water-audit workshops, develop Demand-side Water Management (DSWM)
plans, adoption of DSWM plan, capacity building of GP representatives, formation of farmer interest
groups and farmer producer groups.
GGPRIAP: Progress Report April – June 2016
2
Activity Wise Progress Report (April – June 2016)
Project Staff Training
As per the plan, two trainings were organized in April and June, respectively. Farmer Producers
Organization (FPO) Orientation Training for staff and FIG leaders held at BIRDS Training Center,
Muthyalapadu, Kurnool District on 21st April 2016. The list of participants and resource persons is
enclosed Annex 1. Likewise, Training on Hydrological Monitoring was organized on 6-7 June, 2016
held at BIRDS Training Center, Muthyalapadu, Kurnool District. The list of participants and resource
persons is enclosed Annex 2.
Component 1: Participatory Hydrological Monitoring
Outcome 1: Hydrological Unit Networks (HUNs) in five districts make informed decisions on
agriculture livelihoods taking into account water availability.
Two Outputs were envisaged to occur as a result of the implementation of the activities under
Component 1, discussed in the following section.
Output 1.1: Local monitoring systems of hydrological monitoring operating
Target values and dates for realization of Output 1.1 were: a) Database of GP monitored data on
groundwater levels, surface flow, rainfall and other meteorological parameters; in addition to
secondary data on evapotranspiration for all land uses, drinking water and irrigation water usage,
etc. for the 52 Hydrological Units spread over 5 districts. b) Soil moisture and soil organic carbon
content improved in 52 HUs. c) Demand-side Water Management (DSWM)Plans using water
balance/accounting and water audits prepared for 52 HUs facilitated through GPs.
Progress is: a) Orientation of Gram Panchayat (GP) office bearers meeting on water governance is
progressing. b) Grama Jalamandali meetings have been conducted in 495 villages in each and every
month. c) 198 WMC (GP Jalamandali) meetings and follow-up meetings have been conducted. d) 23
HUN meetings have been conducted out of 52 HUNs. e) Repair/Replace PHM equipment and display
boards is yet to be initiated as the Department of Agriculture, Government of Andhra Pradesh is yet
to complete the procurement of the equipment. f) PHM data and dissemination is being done in 463
wells that are presently functional; g) Data classification and entry is ongoing; h) Maintenance of
PHM equipment is ongoing, however equipment for dysfunctional wells needs to be procured. The
procurement specifications have been provided to the Department of Agriculture. We continue to
follow up with the DoA on the procurement process. i) Benchmarking of soil moisture status using
bio-indicators is progressing.
Activities Planned July-September 2016: a) Data collection on PHM impact (Average crop yields,
water harvested, water saved, etc.) b) Soil nutrient analysis c) Collect crop plans for the upcoming
season d) Conduct Water Audit workshops e) Develop DSWM Plans for each HU f) Conduct DSWM
adoption survey.
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Output 1.2: PHM data disseminated
Target values and dates for realization of Output 1.2 were: GPs and Farmers in 52 HUs have access
to PHM data for improving water-use efficiency and reducing water pumping.
Progress is: a) Designed data applications for dissemination of PHM data in 198 GPs (rainfall and
water level data); b) Designed applications for analyzing PHM data in 198 GPs (rainfall and water
level data); and c) Dissemination of PHM data is ongoing.
Activities Planned July-September 2016: a) Dissemination of PHM data; and b) Analysis of PHM data
in 198 GPs will continue.
Component 2: Water Governance
Outcome 2: Gram Panchayats of 11 HUs in Kurnool district actively manage water resources,
including problem solving of issues related to drinking and irrigation water, through improved water
monitoring and ensure adherence to demand-side management plan
Output 2.1: Gram Panchayats of 11 HUs in Kurnool district take lead in water governance
Target values and dates for realization of Output 2.1 were: GPs of 11 HUs have DSWM plans in place
Progress is: a) Vision building workshop conducted at the block GP level of 5 GPs and the vision
shared with 23 GPs. Objective is to evolve vision of the GP for the near future. Action plan also
prepared with indicators to monitor the progress of activities.
Activities Planned July-September 2016: a) PRI Office bearers promote DSWM through linkages with
government programmes b) Develop water sharing norms c) Design water sharing arrangements d)
Develop DSWM plan for each GP and consolidate it at HU-level e) Implement DSWM plan.
Component 3: Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs)
Outcome 3: Farmer Producer Organizations improve individual farmers’ access to agriculture inputs,
markets, and technology for judicious crop-water management
Output 3.1: Farmer Producer Organizations operational in Kurnool district
Target values and dates for realization of Output 3.1 were: a) List of HUNs registered as FPOs b)
Market plans of 11 FPOs operational.
Progress is: a) 15 FIGs have been formed b) FPOs Orientation Training programme conducted for the
staff and FIG leaders. c) FPOs meet regularly to discuss functioning of PHM data collection and
dissemination in the FIG meetings.
Activities Planned July-September 2016: a) FPOs – District level functionaries workshops b) FPOs
undertake market survey c) FPOs prepare a market plan d) FPOs undertake market operations of
agriculture produce.
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GP Level Household survey: A household survey on water related issues was conducted in seven GPs
and survey of seven more GPs is planned in the next quarter. The objectives of the survey were:

Map various socio-economic groups and estimate water consumption by the different
groups;

Identify issues related to water and sanitation;

Assess the gap between demand and supply at GP level; and
 Identify ways to enhance the water-use efficiency.
The survey findings will be shared in the GP Jala Mandali and will be used in the Water Audit
workshops to design Demand-side Water Management (DSWM) Plans.
Training/Workshop/Meetings in which Project Staff participated during the reporting
period
3 BIRDS Village coordinators (V. Diwakar, B.Pullaiah and T. Obulesu) participated ‘Pradhana Manthri
Fasal Bheema Yojana’ workshop on 5th April 2016 at K.V.K., Banaganapalli, in Kurnool District, A.P. to
learn more about the newly launched crop-insurance scheme.
Visitors
 5 members team from Uttar Pradesh Water Restructuring Project (UPWSRP) – II of Farmer
Water Schools Technical Assistance Consultancy Team from Lucknow visited project
operational area on 12th – 14th May 2016.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is providing Technical Assistance
to the Farmer Water School (FWS) Programme and Agricultural Activities being implemented by the
Department of Agriculture (DoA), Government of Uttar Pradesh under the Uttar Pradesh Water
Sector Restructuring Project Phase-II (UPWSRP-II). The main objective of the FWS TAC is to provide
the technical resources required for the development, pilot testing and successful
implementation/up-scaling of the Farmers Water Schools. It is anticipated that the FWS programme
will enable farmers in the targeted irrigated areas to increase their agricultural productivity and
water-use efficiency.
Five members of the FWS TAC Team visited the PHM sites, interacted with Jala Mandali members,
and participated in a crop-water budgeting demonstration and FWS gallery walk to develop a deeper
understanding of the water management and Farmer Water School (FWS) approach. The visiting
members included:
1. Dr. C. M. Srivastava - Team Leader
2. Dr. Shiv Prakash Singh – National Consultant
3. Mr. Rajiv Chaudhary – National Consultant
4. Mr. Pramod Kumar Singh – National Consultant
5. Mr. Y. Sudhakar– National Consultant
GGPRIAP: Progress Report April – June 2016
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 8 members team from SEWA from Ahmedabad, Gujarath visit to project operational area on
26th - 27th May 2016
FAO is working collaboratively with Self Employed Women’s’ Association (SEWA) to develop a
proposal on Climate Resilient Agriculture in the states of Gujarat and Rajasthan. An eight-member
SEWA team visited the project to develop an understanding of the Participatory Hydrological
Monitoring (PHM) and Participatory Climate Monitoring (PCM) approaches and the concepts of
crop-water budgeting (CWB) and farmer water school (FWS). The visiting members included:
1. Chhaya Bhavsar – Senior Coordinator
2. Smita Bhatnagar – Senior Coordinator
3. Bhanuben – District Coordinator
4. Gita Sotapara – District Coordinator
5. Femida Baloch - Organiser
6. Susila Pujara - Organiser
7. Jyotsna Parmar - Organiser
8. Naimisha Joshi – Senior Coordinator
The visiting members visited PHM sites, interacted with Jala Mandali members, and participated in a
crop-water budgeting demonstration and FWS gallery walk.
 4 members team from IFAD visited project operational area on 27th May, 2016
The Government of Andhra Pradesh has approached International Fund for Agriculture Development
(IFAD) for a loan of seventy five million US dollars to design and implement the Andhra Pradesh
Drought Mitigation Project (APDMP) in five districts of AP (Anantapur, Chittoor, Kadapa, Kurnool and
Prakasam). The project intends to build on over two decades of experiences and learning from
different projects implemented in the state to address farmers’ distress comprehensively. The
proposed project aims to strengthen the water governance in these five districts by engaging all
water-users to make rational choices on access and equity in the management of the critical natural
resource. Additionally, its larger focus on rain-fed agriculture is expected to have a comprehensive
revival of the crop systems and improve productivity. With these efforts, it is envisaged to make a
larger impact on pulse, oil seeds and millets production in these districts. Thus, the proposed
intervention aims to address issues contributing to farmers’ distress holistically. Large scale
expansion of the project to all villages in course of time will make a significant contribution to
agriculture growth in these districts.
Members of the IFAD Design Mission visited the project and interacted with the farmers to develop
a deeper understanding of the water governance and Farmer Water School (FWS) approaches. The
visiting members included:
1. Vincent Darlong – Country Program Officer, New Delhi
2. Sunpreet Kaur – IFAD, New Delhi
3. Aissa Toure –Consultant, IFAD, Rome
4. Audrey Nepveu - Technical Adviser, Water and Rural Infrastructure, Rome
GGPRIAP: Progress Report April – June 2016
6
Activity wise Progress and Plan
Activity code Activity
Project Inception Workshop
Project Staff Training
Component 1: Participatory Hydrological Monitoring
Activity 1.1.1: Orient Gram Panchayat (GP) office bearers
a) Intimation to GP office bearers
b) Preparatory work for orientation
Activity 1.1.2: GMC meetings
Activity 1.1.3: Federate Gram Panchayats at the Hydrological Unit (HU)
level (HUN meetings)
a) formation of WMC at GP level
b) Formation to GP level WMC members at HUN level
Meeting
Activity 1.1.4: Repair/Replace PHM equipment and display boards
a) Procurement of PHM Equipment
b) Preparing the details of PHM (OB wells, RGs etc) repairs
and replacements
Activity 1.1.5: PHM data collection and dissemination
Activity 1.1.6: Data classification and entry
Activity 1.1.7: Maintenance of PHM equipment
Activity 1.1.8: Data collection on PHM impact (Average crop yields, water
harvested, water saved, etc.)
Activity 1.1.9: Benchmarking of soil moisture status using bio-indicators
Activity 1.1.10: Soil nutrient analysis
a) Collection of Soil Samples
Activity 1.1.11: Collect crop plans for the upcoming season
Activity 1.1.12: Conduct Water Audit workshops
Activity 1.1.13: Develop DSWM Plans for each HU
Activity 1.1.14: Conduct DSWM adoption survey
Activity 1.2.1: Design data applications for dissemination of PHM data
Activity 1.2.2: Design applications for analysing PHM data
Activity 1.2.3: Disseminate PHM data
Component 2: Groundwater Governance
Activity 2.1.1: Vision building workshops
a) Intimation to WMC members for Workshop
Activity 2.1.2: PRI Office bearers promote DSWM through linkages with
government programmes
Activity 2.1.3: Develop water sharing norms
Activity 2.1.4: Design water sharing arrangements
Activity 2.1.5: Develop DSWM plan for each GP and consolidate it at HUlevel
GGPRIAP: Progress Report April – June 2016
Achievement
Up to June
2016
1
6
Plan
July – Sep.
2016
August
495
On going
198
52
July
On going
On going
On going
On going
On going
On going
July
July
August
August
August
August
2
2
On going
On going
2
August
August
August
September
7
Activity code Activity
Activity 2.1.6: Implement DSWM plan
Component 3: Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs)
Activity 3.1.1: Formation of FIGs
a) Preparatory meetings for FIGs formation
Activity 3.1.2: FIGs Training
a) Intimation for FIGs training
Activity 3.1.3: 11 HUNs in Kurnool district reorganized as FPOs
Activity 3.1.4: 11 FPOs Orientation Training
Activity 3.1.5: FPOs meet regularly to discuss functioning of PHM data
collection and dissemination
Activity 3.1.6: FPOs – District level functionaries workshops
Activity 3.1.7: FPOs undertake market survey
Activity 3.1.8: FPOs prepare a market plan
Activity 3.1.9: FPOs undertake market operations of agriculture produce
GGPRIAP: Progress Report April – June 2016
Achievement
Up to June
2016
Plan
July – Sep.
2016
September
33
1
July
1
1
Ongoing
August
August
September
September
8
National Consultants Input
1. K. A. S. Mani, Groundwater Specialist
5th May 2016 Meeting: Discussed with Project staff about Grama Panchayat level Households
Survey Implementation Process at Anantapur, Anantapur district AP.
2. Debashish Goswami, Water Resources Specialist
Hydrologic Monitoring Training & Field Demonstration: 6th – 7th June 2016
The purpose of the visit was to conduct training and field demonstration in relation to water
management and hydrologic monitoring for the NGOs involved in APFAMGS project.
It was a two-day training-cum-demonstration involving basic concepts of hydrology, water
management and water accounting/budgeting, and field demonstration for stream flow
measurement. Field visits were also made to expose the participants to actual field
measurements of various parameters like flow velocity, water stage etc.
The objective of the training /demonstration was to teach the participating NGOs to conduct
water accounting by themselves and contribute to demand-side water management.
The Key Findings of the mission
The representatives from the NGOs are keen and enthusiastic to learn hydrologic monitoring
methods, and conduct water budgeting in a comprehensive way and take the program forward
successfully. More guidance will be necessary in the initial stage in hydrologic monitoring and
water-budgeting estimations.
3. Salome Yesudas, Farmers Producer Organization Specialist
Farmer Producers Organization (FPO) Orientation Training on 21st April 2016 at BIRDS Training
centre, Muthyalapadu for staff and FIG leaders.



Developed norms for FIGs
Arrived at the trainings required, like seed selection, botanicals preparation, insect
pest management, Integrated Pest Management ( IPM ), etc.,
Activities to be taken up by FPO, such as supply of organic manures, awareness
regarding govt. subsidy schemes, providing storage facilities
GGPRIAP: Progress Report April – June 2016
9
Annex - 1
Participants of Farmer Producers Organization (FPO) Orientation Training
S.No Name of the Farmer
Designation
Name of the Village
1
S. Ramanjaneyulu
FIG Leader
Chandalur
2
P. Venkataramireddy
FIG Leader
Nakkaladinne
3
P. Krishnaiah
FIG Leader
Mittapalle
4
B. Shankar Naik
FIG Leader
M.Thanda
5
P. C. Venkataramudu
FIG Leader
Muttaluru
6
P. C. Venkata subbaiah
FIG Leader
Godiganur
7
B. Krishnaiah
FIG Leader
Kondampalle
8
G. V. Rami Reddy
FIG Leader
R.K.Puram
9
I. Parameswara Reddy
FIG Leader
Mutyalapadu
10
I. Parameswara Reddy
FIG Leader
Mutyalapadu
11
T. Pamulety
FIG Leader
Mutyalapadu
12
G. Peddy Reddy
FIG Leader
D.Kottapally
13
P. Obulapathi
FIG Leader
Mutyalapadu
14
P. Chandra Mouli
FIG Leader
Narsapuram
15
G. Sreenivasa Reddy
FIG Leader
Thodendlapalli
16
M. Mange Naik
FIG Leader
M.Thanda
17
S. Bala Venkata Subbaiah
FIG Leader
R.Nagulavaram
18
M. Sona Naik
FIG Leader
Bachepally Thanda
19
M. Lakshma Naik
FIG Leader
O.G.Thanda
20
K. Nageswara Rao
FIG Leader
Bachipalle
21
N. Mohan Reddy
FIG Leader
Kotakanduku
22
A. J. Prathap Reddy
FIG Leader
Yadawada
23
K. Mallikarjun
FIG Leader
Madduru
24
P. Mahaboob bee
FIG Leader
Peddavangali
25
P. Lakshmi Narasamma
FIG Leader
Peddavangali
26
G. Ramakrishna Reddy
FIG Leader
Muttaluru
27
N. Narasimhudu
FIG Leader
R.Nagulavaram
28
S. Dastagiri Reddy
FIG Leader
Nallavagulapalle
29
M. Ramana Reddy
FIG Leader
Pedda Kambaluru
30
M. Ramana Reddy
FIG Leader
Muttaluru
31
N. Prathap Reddy
FIG Leader
Thuvva Palle
GGPRIAP: Progress Report April – June 2016
10
S.No Name of the Farmer
Designation
Name of the Village
32
K. Eswaramma
FIG Leader
Marripalle
33
P. Papi Reddy
FIG Leader
Marripalle
34
B.Pullaiah
BIRDS Staff
Allagadda
35
S.Abdul Khadar
BIRDS Staff
Allagadda
36
V.S Diwakar
BIRDS Staff
Allagadda
37
T.Obulesu
BIRDS Staff
Allagadda
38
V.Pavankumar
BIRDS Staff
Allagadda
39
R.Lakshmi
BIRDS Staff
Allagadda
40
S.Madhavi
BIRDS Staff
Allagadda
List of Resource Persons
S. No.
1
Resource Person Name
Ms. Salome Yesudas
GGPRIAP: Progress Report April – June 2016
Designation
Organization
FAO consultant,
Farmers Producer Organization Specialist
FAO India
11
Annex 2
Participants - Hydrologic Monitoring Training & Field Demonstration
S. No.
Name of the Participant
Designation
Organization - Station
1
Mr. Shaik Abdulkhadar
Project Coordinator &
Agriculture Facilitator
BIRDS - Allagadda
2
Ms. S.Madhavi
Hydrological Facilitator
BIRDS - Allagadda
3
Ms. R. Lakshmi
NEF Facilitator
BIRDS - Allagadda
4
Mr. V. Diwakar
Village Coordinator
BIRDS - Allagadda
5
Mr. B.Pullaiah
Village Coordinator
BIRDS - Allagadda
6
Mr. T. Obulesu
Village Coordinator
BIRDS - Allagadda
7
Mr. V. Pavan Kumar
Village Coordinator
BIRDS - Allagadda
8
Mr. V.Bulliabbay
Village Coordinator
CARVE - Markapur
9
Mr. R.V.Narayana
Village Coordinator
DIPA - Giddalur
10
Mr. C. Nagi Reddy
Village Coordinator
GVS - Madanapalli
11
Mr. R.Ramanayya
Village Coordinator
PARTNER - Porumamilla
12
Mr. V.Ravi Kumar
Village Coordinator
SAFE - Cumbhum
13
Mr. M.Hussain Saheb
Village Coordinator
SYA - Gooty
List of Resource Persons
S. No.
1
Resource Person Name
Mr.Debashishgoswami
GGPRIAP: Progress Report April – June 2016
Designation
Organization
FAO consultant, Water Resources Specialist
FAO India
12