Abstract

Chhattisgarh has abundant agricultural land and rainfall. However, agricultural productivity was low because only wet season rice (or paddy) was grown in most areas. The Chhattisgarh Irrigation Development Project (CIDP) improved irrigation, making it possible for dry season (rabi) cropping and giving many farmers the opportunity to improve their livelihood.

With the Participatory Irrigation Management (PIM) Act, the CIDP improved farm productivity and increased the participation of women in farm decision making. The CIDP was the first irrigation project in Chhattisgarh that worked within a participatory irrigation management framework and strengthened water users’ associations.