1. Suhas P Wani, Anantha K H, Sreedevi T K
Resilient Dryland Systems
International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics
Patancheru 502324 Andhra Pradesh, INDIA
2. Low and erratic rainfall, severe land
degradation, low crop yields, and
high poverty.
WSP…potential engine for
agricultural growth and sustainable
development in rain-fed areas.
Increasing women’s participation is
critical to the long-term
sustainability of development
efforts.
3.
4. Technology
Value addition
Market linkages
ACTION RESEARCH
CAPACITY BUILDING TARGETED ACTIVITIES
PARTICIPATIO
N
Technical know-how LIVELIHOOD Input-output value
Value addition chain
Market linkages
ISSUES/CONSTRAINTS
Technology
Knowledge
Market
5. Crop intensification with high-value crops and
diversification of farming systems.
Production of basic staples and surplus for
modest incomes.
Enhanced participation of the vulnerable
groups through capacity-building and
networking.
Women learned new techniques in planting,
land preparation, and intercropping.
Planted around 18,500 pongamia trees to
augment the oilseed supply in future.
Fixed 147 t of carbon thru pongamia plantation
and received worth of US$ 670 from World
Bank as environmental service payment.
From this additional income, they invested in
tree nurseries.
6. Average family incomes increased by 77%
thru watershed interventions.
Reduced seasonal migration.
Employment and income opportunities.
Building social capital.
Trust, social cohesion, a sound local
leadership and democratic functioning of
local institutions are among the features of
social capital.
Girl children are educated in taluk board
schools.
High social standing in the village for
women.
7. Supporting government policies.
Increased bargaining power and financial and political
leverage.
Solidarity thru mandal-level federation meetings -
enables them to share their problems and seek help.
The federations can help the SHGs to borrow money
from financial institutions at lower interest rates.
Loans are particularly useful for value-added services
such as running a highway restaurant and other micro-
enterprises.
The federation takes care of book keeping and training
functions of SHGs.
The impact in terms of increasing the family incomes,
building the social capital as well as trust amongst the
women members.
8. Women have organised themselves and put up their
SHGs on fish sauce, soap making, shampoo, fish feed,
etc.
The small-scale activities of women show the local
level resource mobilisation, use and management.
IGAs - rabbit farming, goats and cattle development,
pig rearing - important for their livelihood security.
Improved household welfare - living standard,
economic affordability in acquiring household items,
children education and health, etc.
Increased responsibilities in the household and farming
activities.
Financially independent and increased household
income.
Empowerment in terms of knowledge, financial and
social status.
9. Strong and good local leadership.
Increased availability of water
resources.
Targeted income generating
activities.
Collective action and supporting
government policy.
Training and capacity building &
strengthening.
Linkages to the markets.
Regular skills up-gradation.
10. • Watershed projects provided a platform for inclusive market
oriented development without jeopardizing social norms.
• Need-based targeted income generating activities (IGAs) provided
a confidence among women members to increase their social
esteem, social standing and decision-making power.
11. Watershed programmes should look beyond land development activities.
Need to make available the technical know-how and make them aware of
such technologies through regular skill up-gradation trainings.
Enhanced awareness of women’s rights through deliberate efforts is
critical for sustainable development of watersheds by harnessing the
women power equitably.
Need to harness the gender power through harmony in the watersheds.
Implementing and coordinating agencies need to take cognizance of
resources and policy support to address gender equity.
