IRIES -- irrigation impact evaluation system : an evaluation of the direct and indirect impacts of irrigation on income, employment and health in the State of Maharashtra, India

The evaluation was based on Rapid Appraisal and Comprehensive Evaluation surveys. Based on the Rapid Appraisal technique, the Mula project had the highest economic rate of return (ERR), at 19.5%, which was more than 7% above the international minimum target of 12%. Chulband's ERR of 9.77% was the lowest of the three, while Sidhanath had an intermediate ERR of 15.9%. The most important benefit for Mula and Sidhanath, the two projects with the highest ERR's, derived from the introduction of new non-foodgrain crops under canal irrigation inside the Mula and Sidhanath commands. Foodgrain cropping and production also increased in both of the high return projects, but they accounted for only 15% of the total benefits, which suggests that foodgrain yield and area increases cannot pay for the level of investment required for these types of projects. Most of the indirect benefits of the Mula and Sidhanath projects also derived from crop diversification. In "Influence Areas" (areas in close proximity to the irrigation projects) the income benefit associated with irrigation was most significant around the Sidhanath groundwater influence area. In all three cases, the irrigation has lead to increases in indirect (non-crop) employment and landless family benefits; these impacts were much larger for new crops than for foodgrains. The health impacts of irrigation appear to be positive, reducing the gap between "dry landers" and "wet landers" before irrigation. Health benefits are calculated as accounting for 2-3% of the ERR's.