PL-480, Title II, Food for Work impact evaluation : study of tanks and dams; Catholic Relief Services, Delhi Zone

Ex post impact evaluation covers construction during the period FY78-FY81 and is based on interviews with a sample of 444 beneficiaries and 148 nonbeneficiaries. A total of 29 tanks were constructed in Mirzapur, 5 in Mariabad, and 3 in Majghai, each with about 22 beneficiaries. The FFW project distributed some 6,797 tons of bulgar and generated one-time employment of 1.68 million person-days. Most beneficiaries were aged 31-50, nearly half were illiterate, 60% were from weaker castes, 97% were Hindus, and almost all were married and worked in agriculture. About 59% had incomes above Rs. 1000/- per month, most owned their homes, and 80% owned more than 5 acres of unirrigated land. Few had indoor plumbing or electricity. In Mirzapur, area irrigated increased by 65% during Kharif and 75% during Rabi seasons; in Mariabad by 27% during Kharif and 6.5% during Rabi; and in Majghai by 51% during Kharif and 65% during Rabi. Paddy crops were planted on 85% of new irrigated land in Kharif, and wheat on 86% in Rabi. The value of output per beneficiary during Rabi increased by about 58% and per acre by about 44%. During Kharif, the value of output per beneficiary increased by about 25% and per acre by 20%. The FFW tank projects' ability to meet the large demand for irrigation during Rabi was largely responsible for the increase during that season. The tanks generated repetitive full-time employment for 345 people through increased productivity in irrigated areas. Overall, beneficiary incomes increased by 51% and employment levels by 17%. The share of income from off-farm employment increased from 0.4% before the project to 0.6% after. Some 47% of beneficiaries reported that the project had improved their nutritional intake, while 55% mentioned lower incidence of illness, and 42% noted improved growth of children; 30% purchased more clothing, most improved personal assets, and 75% were better able to discharge social and economic obligations.