Evaluation of minor irrigation schemes using performance indicators: case studies from South India

Food security challenge in India can be addressed to a considerable extent by improving the performance of irrigation systems. Two minor irrigation schemes in the Kozhikode district of Kerala in South India, namely, Kanniparamba and Vellannur, were assessed for their performance in terms of technical and social components. Water availability constraint in crop growth does not exist, as denoted by the high Relative Water Supply values. Irrigation delivery service in Vellannur is better, compared to Kanniparamba, when their relative irrigation supply values are taken into account. The canal system in Vellannur scheme also shows better maintenance, and hence, conveys water more effectively to the farms. Opportunity for saving water exists in the schemes through careful operation of the system and planning the water delivery by considering effective rainfall and crop water requirements. The relevance of initiating farmer participatory activities for management/distribution of the required quantity of water for crops to enable farmers to change from the practice of excess water use and for better water management is evident. This can be achieved by introducing suitable measures to institutionalize farmers’ participation under the minor irrigation schemes, which do not presently exist under the minor irrigation sector in Kerala State of India.