wells was collected using a small questionnaire from all the well owners in the sample villages.

Detailed information regarding various socio-economic aspects was collected using a detailed questionnaire from a sample of 25 households owning wells. Families in both the villages were asked to narrate the changes in groundwater situation during the last five years.

There are no alternative sources of water supply as against wells in Vaddicherla, whereas there is an existing tank that has been converted into a percolation tank, so that the water situation is much better in Wanaparthy.

Do You Know?

Percolation tanks are normally earthen dams with masonry structures where water may overflow. Construction materials consist of a mixture of soil, silt, loam, clay, sand, gravel, suitably mixed and laid in layers at the base or bed and sides. It is properly compacted to achieve stability. Outlets for surface irrigation are made and a cut-off trench is made below the earthen bund or dam with depth limited to one fourth of the height between bed level and full storage level.

Basic features of the villages Wanaparthy and Vaddicherla are almost similar in terms of occupational pattern, cropping pattern, geographical factors, infrastructure and social services. In both the villages small farmers are in majority. Wanaparthy has the higher average household income. The main livelihood activity in these villages is cultivation and the primary source of irrigation is well. Household income is dependent on the status of groundwater. Wanaparthy has a higher proportion of its area under irrigation. The cropping pattern which influences average household income in these villages differs substantially.

Though rain has not been consistent for a few years, farmers in these villages prefer growing paddy. Observe the following table.




page no:213

Home