Watershed Development: COLLABORATION WITH GOVERNMENT AND OTHERS NGOS – (1995 – 2006)
AF strongly believes that to achieve the objectives of the organization, it is crucial to build linkages and work with other important organizations in the district. AF believes that building alliances, playing complimentary roles, strengthening networks is strategically important to reach the set objectives. Such an effort enhances the overall effectiveness of the programmes and also creates excellent cross learning opportunities for all the actors and stakeholders.
Collaboration with Government Agencies
Watershed Development
By far, the government has been the largest player in watershed development in Anantapur district. Since 1995, government has been implementing watershed development programme in about 900 Watershed in Anantapur District. The other government programmes like AP Comprehensive Land Development Programme called `Indira Prabha’ and the District Poverty Initiatives Programme called `Indira Kranthi Patham’ have also an important role in promoting rural livelihoods. AF has been working closely with government and trying to make best use of such programmes for the benefit of people in the project villages of AF.
With regard to watershed development programme, which is an investment intensive programme, there is a clear understanding between government administration and AF. The understanding is that, the government would not select a watershed village if AF is already implementing watershed programmes in that village and vice versa.
AFs efforts in working with government administration has, 2 important objectives: -
- To mobilize additional resources to families and CBOs for watershed and other livelihood related activities from government agencies,
- To influence the policies and practices to be pro-people, in government watershed and livelihood related programmes so that large number of villages and population beyond AF coverage would be benefited.
AF has been quite successful in both the objectives of mobilizing large resources from government and also creating people-friendly policies and practices in the government programme. Though, it has not been an easy process. However, AF continues to work with government on similar lines in spite that there are some problems in working with government. The advantages and benefits to people outweigh the disadvantages and problems as AF has achieved a very high credibility with the government agencies.
Accion Fraterna has implemented the following Government funded watersheds:
| APRLP | : | 9 watersheds |
| DDP | : | 6 watersheds |
| APRLP Watershed plus | : | 12 watersheds |
| Total | : | 27 watersheds |
Apart from the regular Natural Resource Management works (Land development, Water development, Vegetative development, etc.) following new activities are being implemented in AF’s Government funded watersheds.
Productivity enhancement measures :
These measures are being implemented to enhance agricultural productivity in 9
APRLP watershed villages. APRLP has allocated Rs.3,00,000/- per village for
productivity enhancement.
- Establishment of Seed banks:
Establishment of each seed bank requires about Rs.1.5 to 2.5 lakhs, which is spent from the amounts sanctioned for productivity enhancement. In the seed bank concept, good quality seed is purchased by the Village Organization (VO) and stored in the village. During June, before Kharif sowings, farmers who are in need of seed, borrow from seed bank. They will have to repay the amount with an interest rate of 12% to 24% per annum in the months of January / February after crop harvesting. The interest amount earned goes to VO account. Management of these seed banks is done by the concerned VOs.
- 9 seed banks have been established in APRLP watershed villages.
- 356 farmers have borrowed seed from these seed banks
The establishment of there seed banks have reduced the seed and credit problems of poor farmers’ and stopped them from getting into the debt-trap of money lenders.
The interest earned is an additional incentive to the VOs. The VOs are actively managing the seed banks.
- Providing loans for purchase of fertilizers:
Under this activity loans are provided to needy farmers during June, before Kharif sowings to purchase the required fertilizers. Repayment will be done in January / February, after crop harvesting. These are also managed by VOs.
52 farmers have borrowed loan for fertilizers and the amount borrowed is Rs.96,000/-.
Livelihood promotion measures :
These measures are being implemented to promote both on-farm and
off-farm livelihoods in all the 27 Government watersheds (APRLP, DDP and APRLP
watersheds plus). APRLP has allocated Rs.3.5 lakhs per watershed for promotion
of livelihoods. Under this programme loans are given to the poor and needs to
develop either on-farm or off-farm livelihoods. Mostly people have taken loans
for the following activities :
- Diary, Petty Shops, Ram Lambs, Vegetable vending, Auto Rickshaws etc.
- They have to repay the amount with an interest rate of 24% per annum.
- Totally 1064 families have taken loans to develop their livelihoods.
- The loan amount is Rs.82,00,000/-. Repayments are regular and 100%.
This has helped many poor to develop their livelihoods and increase their
resistance to droughts.
Apart from the above medical camps for women and children and education
awareness camps are also being conducted in AF’s Government funded watersheds.
TopComprehensive Land Development Project (CLDP)
Accion Fraterna is a Project Management Agency by District Government Administration for implementing Comprehensive Land Development Programme named as Indira Prabha. Accion Fraterna is implementing this programme in 11 villages, five of which are of Accion Fraterna on going watershed villages.
Objective of the Project:
To enhance and diversify the livelihood options of the dalit and other poor
families on a sustainable basis by comprehensively developing compact blocks of
marginal land owned by them.
| Total No. of villages | : | 11 |
| Total No. of blocks | : | 13 |
| Total area of land to be developed | : | 440.50 ha. |
| No. of poor families benefiting | : | 334 |
| Financial Provision made | : | Rs.131.28 lakhs |
The total cost of the project would be borne by the Government only. In each village, the beneficiary families have been organized into a small group for implementing land and agricultural development works.
Participatory planning has been done for development of each block of land owned by a group of families. The plans cover clearing of bushes, rock out crops, pebbles, stones etc. Soil and Moisture Conservation works, Horticulture plantation, Irrigation Development, Dairy Development, Livestock Development, Fodder Development etc. The implementation is in progress under the management of the small groups.
The beneficiary farmers’ families also physically work in the execution of the above activities, themselves. This creates employment for the family for 3 to 4 months in a year. This will help them to resist the impact of droughts and avoid distress migration.
The objective is to develop the land to its full potential and diversify the agriculture, so that the families would be economically self-reliant.
National Project for Repair, Renovation and Restoration of Water Bodies directly linked to Agriculture
The Ministry of Water resources, Govt. of India has planned to take-up the restoration of old water bodies having command area between 40 ha. to 2,000 ha., to stabilize agriculture based livelihoods in the country. So in 2005 a project called “National Project for repair, renovation and restoration of Water bodies directly linked to Agriculture” was evolved. The pilot project was taken-up during 2005-06 in five regions of the country including Andhra Pradesh.
The objectives of the pilot project are:
- To restore and augment storage capacities of water bodies, and
- To recover and extend their lost irrigation potential.
The completion of this pilot project will form the basis for launching “National Water Resources Development Project” at a much larger scale by the Ministry of Water Resources.
In Andhra Pradesh, Government of India has sanctioned the project for Anantapur and Mahabubnagar districts.
So, a state level coordination group is formed with 10 reputed NGOs from the State.
The roles of NGOs include:
- Forming water user associations in the villages.
- Capacity building of Water Users Association (WUA) members.
- Conducting preliminary surveys, PRA, etc.
- Monitoring the functioning of WUAs.
- Capacity building of command area farmers on water saving practices and
water management etc.
Under this project 37 old water bodies are sanctioned for restoration / repairs in Anantapur district with a total financial outlay of Rs.130 million.
Out of these AF is given responsibility of 7 water bodies; with a financial outlay of Rs.57.8 millions.
Presently AF is engaged in capacity building of WUA members and command area farmers as well. Simultaneously the execution of works is also in progress and about Rs.5 millions worth work is already completed for 4 water bodies.
Collaboration with NGOs
Rural Development Trust (RDT)
RDT is the most important NGO in the district with its wide reach and intensive
work. RDT targets the poorest sections like dalits, tribals and other
disadvantaged sections with particular focus on education and poverty reduction.
RDT covers about 70% of the area of Anantapur district. RDTs poverty focus
programmes targeting the poorest sections in the village and AFs focus of
Natural Resource Management and rural livelihoods with the whole village are
complementary to each other. There is no duplication of programmes involved.
Further, RDT and AF are fraternal organizations. So, RDT continues to be a strong support to AF in many other aspects like infrastructure, financial management, legal requirements like FCRA, income tax, Purchases, Personnel services, staff welfare, garage service etc.
Timbaktu Collective is working in 3 mandals in about 100 villages. Its project area overlaps in a few villages with AF. However, Timbaktu Collective’s programme focus is on natural regeneration, women’s empowerment, watershed development and alternative education to children. There is a clear understanding with Timbaktu is that, AF and Timbaktu both would not take up watershed programmes in same village. The other programmes could be taken up by both in one village as they would be highly complementary to each other and would benefit maximum to the people.
There are clear lines of communication at different levels and have been working together at District and State level.
BASIX is working in the same area and some times in the same villages. BASIX is focusing on micro credit for dairying, crop investments etc., in which AF is not involved. There is good communication and coordination between AF and BASIX. BASIX intervention is a value addition to the AFs Watershed Development programme. So AF encourages and invites BASIX to AFs villages.
Social Education & Development Society (SEDS); Stree Samkshema Trust (SST); MYRADA:
SEDS, SST and MYRADA are involved in various sectors of development including watershed development. However, their operational areas are different and no overlap. Further, AF, TIMBAKTU, SEDS, BASIX, SST and MYRADA have very cordial relationship and work together on some issues at District level and also State level.
AF has Action Research Partnership with Research and Academic bodies like ICRISAT, ILRI, Centre for Economic and Social Studies (CESS), Hyderabad and Agricultural Research Station (ARS) at Anantapur. AF is keen to participate in Action Research in collaboration with such bodies in developing appropriate technologies and practices in NPM, IPM, LEISA, drought-resistant crop varieties, social and gender processes etc.
There is significant network called Ananta Paryavarana Parirakshana Samithi (APPS) which has two fold focus. This network itself do to have a strong programme base at village level and focus mostly on issues at District level.
There are some other NGOs and networks, which are operating without definite action programmes. They operate on and off depending on the funds available mostly from government agencies. By and large, all the NGOs have a cordial relationship with each other and works together on some issues of common concern at district and state levels.
Positioning of AF in NGO sector and future collaboration
AF, with its strong field based programme, together with its active
involvement in NGO networking and policy advocacy, has been well positioned in
Andhra Pradesh and to some extent at national level also. AF has long experience
in NGO networking at various levels. It has a cordial relationship by and large
with NGOs and Civil Society Organizations and wields some influence in the
society. However, it has much greater potential to bring NGOs together on issues
of concern to people and the NGO sector.
AF also observes that not much of cross learning is taking place between the
NGOs. Networks also did not focus adequately on mutual learning. So this is
another area for AF in future to work on. AF would like to take initiative to
create and enhance the voice of NGO sector, build relationships and networks. AF
would like to create learning opportunities and enabling environment between
NGOs and also between NGOs and Government in Andhra Pradesh.
