Water supply strategies for higher land and water productivity in tank command areas of Southern India

Abstract

Tanks are one of the most important traditional sources of water for irrigation and other livelihood purposes in southern India. The Present study was conducted to develop strategies for enhancing land and water productivity in tank command areas in the rainfed regions of Telangana. Three strategies were identified, these strategies include changing the cropping pattern, water saving technologies and conjunctive use of a tank with open well/bore well water. The study reveals that up to 27% of the command area was increased by implementing the change in the cropping pattern under the tanks. The observed peak net benefits were found in the chillies crop in the tank command areas with decreasing of 5–27% of CCA with different scenarios of conjunctive use planning. Results also showed that alternative wetting and drying strategies in tank command areas increased the command area by 35%. These strategies can be implemented to increase the water use efficiency, cultural command area and net returns in the tank command areas of Southern India.