ABSTRACT

The micro-watershed development programme in India promotes the recharging of groundwater tables to facilitate irrigation in otherwise rainfall-dependent agricultural communities. This study investigates the potential of agricultural extension agencies in encouraging the sustainable use of the common-pool resource of groundwater through local governance. Findings suggest that extension agencies strongly influence farmers’ crop choices (a representation of irrigation use), in accordance with the proposition that knowledge dissemination on groundwater use and its impact encourages collective action (U7-SES framework). Finally, farmers with higher irrigation demand are the conduit between the extension agency and community, highlighting their potential for programme management.

摘要

印度的微型流域开发计划促进地下水位的补给，以促进其他依赖降雨的农业社区的灌溉。本研究调查了农业推广机构通过地方治理鼓励可持续利用地下水公共池资源的潜力。调查结果表明，推广机构强烈影响农民的作物选择（灌溉使用的代表），这与关于地下水使用及其影响的知识传播鼓励集体行动（U7-SES 框架）的命题一致。最后，灌溉需求较高的农民是推广机构和社区之间的渠道，突出了他们在项目管理方面的潜力。