Can Intermediate Water Storage Structures Mitigate Impact of Climate Variability? Some Evidence from Tank Command Areas in Southern India

This paper examines whether intermediate water storage structures (farm ponds) would be a better adaptation strategy in the light of climate variability in irrigation tank commands. The study was conducted in two tanks, Pramanur tank and Kovanur tank, in Sivagangai district of Tamil Nadu state, India. To assess the impacts of farm ponds as an adaptation strategy, a sample of 30 farmers in each tank, was selected using a simple random sampling procedure. To make a comparative analysis, an equal number of farmers who do not have access to farm ponds were also studied. Thus, a sample of 120 farmers was studied. It is found that farm ponds play a crucial role in supplementing tank irrigation and help the farmers in achieving better yields. The farm ponds are found to be effective, particularly when farms depend entirely on tank water. The net profit realised from the construction and use of farm ponds is Rs.5383/ha/year. Thus, we can conclude that farm ponds are effective in mitigating climate variability in water-scarce tank command regions. Technical support in water management and cultivation of crops, cropping pattern and crop allocation advice will help farmers better cope with climate variability.