PL-480, Title II, Food for Work impact evaluation : study of deepened irrigation wells; Catholic Relief Services (Madras Zone)

480, Food For Work (FFW) project aimed at excavating irrigation wells in India's Madras Zone. Special evaluation presents results of two sample surveys of project beneficiaries (mostly marginal farmers) - a survey of 73 beneficiaries in l9 of 95 FFW projects in 1978 and a survey of 235 beneficiaries in 37 of 2l6 projects in 1981, all in Tamil Nadu. A group of 45 nonbeneficiaries with similar socioeconomic characteristics were used as a control group. In most cases, wells were deepened because other irrigation sources were lacking; beneficiaries almost unanimously affirmed the threat of drought in the area. Most work was done on a self-help basis; in both years, 80% of the beneficiaries used their own funds for excavating wells (10% borrowed money in 1981, double the 1978 figure) and consultation with development authorities was infrequent. A total of 72% in 1978 and 64% in 1981 expressed satisfaction with the wells. The importance of the FFW program was evident: 94% of beneficiaries in 1978 and 90% in 1981 affirmed they would not have deepened their wells without FFW assistance. As a result of increases in both years in cropped and irrigated areas, output per beneficiary rose 70% in 1978 and 33% in 1981 and led to corresponding increases in employment and income levels among beneficiaries. Employment was up 21% (93 person-days) in 1978 and 17% (67 person-days) in 1981 and reached levels higher than for nonbeneficiaries. Beneficiaries income - most of it from agriculture and allied activities - was up 39% in 1978 and 31% (748 Rs.) in 1981; the agricultural income of beneficiaries was greater than that of nonbeneficiaries. Further, the average cost per acre of land brought under irrigation (in terms of bulgar units) was estimated at 2,159 kg in 1978 and 3,906 kg in 1981 and the pay-back period was calculated at 2.33 years for 1978 projects, 4.25 years for 1981 projects. These results suggest that a 2-3 year period may be needed to ensure maximal use of the increased irrigation potential of deepened wells.