Development of Tube Well Irrigation and its Impact on Farmer’s Socio-Economic Conditions: A Case Study of Dakshin Dinajpur District, West Bengal

By : Manik Halder , Nuruzzaman Kasemi , Doli Roy

Page No: 352-369

Abstract
Irrigation plays a pivotal role in enhancing agricultural production and shaping the socioeconomic well-being of farmers. Consequently, the judicious and efficient utilization of irrigated water resources is imperative. This paper aims to investigate the spatial disparities in the level of irrigation development facilitated by tube wells and assess their influence on farmers' socio-economic conditions through a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis. Drawing from both primary and secondary data sources, our study unveils a positive correlation between the extent of tube well-irrigated areas and the overall irrigated land within the district. Notably, changes in the area under tube well irrigation exert a significant impact on the entire irrigation system. Among the various blocks in the district, Hili block exhibits the highest percentage of land allocated to tube well irrigation, while the Tapan block has the lowest proportion of such irrigated areas. The predominant occupation in the study area is agriculture, and a majority of the farmers have received education only up to the upper primary level, indicating limited educational representation. Our analysis reveals a positive impact of tube well irrigation on farmers' income, as evidenced by the results of the costbenefit analysis. In conclusion, the findings of this study herein underscore the importance of efficient water resource management and the role of tube well irrigation in bolstering agricultural productivity and livelihoods within the region.

Authors :
Manik Halder : Ph.D. Research Scholar, Raiganj University, Raiganj, West Bengal, India.
Nuruzzaman Kasemi : Professor, Raiganj University, Raiganj, West Bengal, India
Doli Roy : Ph.D. Research Scholar, Raiganj University, Raiganj, West Bengal, India.
 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.32381/ATNAGI.2023.43.02.8