Agriculture:- Model Bankable Projects in India | Minor Irrigation : Tubewells Part 1 --- www.nabard.org
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REQUIREMENTS OF A MODEL SCHEME FOR FORMULATION BY BANKS
Given in this document are the salient features which the banks should incorporate while formulating schemes for Shallow Tubewells in Alluvial Formations. Individual items to be included are indicated here. The model also includes essential items of cost and economics. This scheme may be taken as a guide only and modifications/improvements including provision of additional details considered necessary on area specific basis should be given in the schemes formulated by banks.
1.2 Why Scheme Formulation is Desirable
It is always desirable to formulate schemes for minor irrigation development. These should give the design, cost estimates, physical and financial targets, and economics along with a time frame for its completion. Scheme formulation helps in the following ways.
2.Proper planning and fixing targets on block/area specific basis under a fixed time frame. 3.Ensuring quality of lending, systematic development, and assured income to beneficiaries, implied timely repayment and recycling of funds. 4. Quality control of works and equipment. 5.Systematic monitoring. 6.Periodical review about achievements and short falls and timely remedial measures.
In view of the above advantages NABARD always insists on proper scheme formulation and its appraisal before sanction and extending refinance facilities.
1.3 Scheme Requirements
The following items should be included in any scheme for Shallow Tubewells in Alluvial Formations for availing bank finances.
1.3.1 Introduction
This should briefly give the location of the scheme area, its extent and topographical features.
1.3.2 Selection of Area
Guidance of the State Groundwater Department should be followed to select the project area for minor irrigation development through groundwater resources. The area selected should be a compact block / taluka or watershed with adequate groundwater potential, easy accessibility by road and adequate outlets for sale of agricultural produce. The above information can be obtained from the State groundwater department and local district authorities. Brief details about the area selected and the project benefits should be given in the scheme.
1.3.3 Soil
The scheme should give the general type of soils in the scheme area along with the type of crops that can be grown thereon. In general, soils are classified as either Sandy or Loamy or Clayey or Black Cotton type soils. Soils have bearing on irrigation and crops grown. Soils also have bearing on irrigation scheduling and depth of irrigation required to meet the water requirements of crops.
1.3.4 Climate and Rainfall
The climate and rainfall of the scheme area help in estimating the supplemental Irrigation water requirement and the number of minor irrigation units that can be constructed and financed in the scheme area. Under this item the minimum and maximum temperature, seasons and the rainfall period should also be given. The normal yearly rainfall as given by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) and the monsoon and non-monsoon rainfall should necessarily be given. If there is no rain-gauge station in the scheme area, rainfall figures of the nearest (IMD) rain gauge station may be given.
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1.3.5 Hydrogeology
Under this heading, different geological formations in the area, aquifers, their thickness and water transmitting capacity average depth to water table and well design suitable for the area should be indicated. Only the top unconfined aquifers in alluvium formations are mostly developed by construction of shallow tubewells. They generally comprise of fine to medium sand intermixed with silt and clay. These formations are lenticular in shape and have limited horizontal and vertical continuity. This information is available with the district geologist of the State groundwater department.
1.3.6 Groundwater Availability
Before any programme of groundwater development is taken up, it is essential to ascertain whether adequate groundwater potential is available in the blocks covered under the scheme. The state groundwater department estimates groundwater resources on a blockwise, taluka wise or watershed wise basis and also keeps a record of the status of groundwater development at a given period of time. The categorisation of blocks as over-exploited, dark (critical), grey (semi-critical) and white (safe) is made on the basis of stage of groundwater development expressed as a ratio of draft to utilisable resources available, as well as trend of groundwater table fluctuations. For overexploited areas, it is greater than 100%, for dark (critical)areas, it is between 90% and 100% ; grey (semi-critical) areas, between 70% and 90% and for white (safe), it is less than 70%. This information is available with the NABARD regional office and state groundwater department. Banks can obtain it from them.
Since long term behaviour of water table is a manifestation of the long duration availability of groundwater resources, it is necessary to ensure that there is no declining trend of water table in the area selected for the scheme. Information on pre-monsoon water table is also necessary to decide the depth of well and to ensure that the yield of well is not affected due to depletion of water table in the area.
Keeping this in view and for sustainability of the structure and the investment, new well investments in dark(critical) and over-exploited areas should not be formulated.
1.3.7 Groundwater Quality
The groundwater quality in a scheme area as indicated by the State groundwater department should be given. Its suitability for irrigation may be indicated in terms of total dissolved solids, sodium adsorption ratio etc. Generally, the groundwater in the scheme area should be of good quality and suitable for all crops grown in the area.
1.3.8 Physical Programme
It is desirable to assess the demand for new wells in the area before formulating the scheme either by interaction with the farmers or the state/district level developmental agencies involved in groundwater development programme. This facilitates fixing the physical targets for wells and pumpsets. If the demand is more and targets assessed are large, the programme could be phased over 2 to 3 years instead of envisaging entire programme for one year. Such a phasing helps in better monitoring and leaves scope for mid term correction wherever required.
Normally single design of well is uniformly followed in the block suitable for the geological formation. However, if different designs of wells are considered necessary for different geological formations, physical programme should be given for each type of well design.
1.3.9 Well Design
The diameter,depth and length of strainer of shallow tubewells should always be given in a scheme.It should also give the discharge expected from the well for the proposed cropping pattern and the corresponding drawdown.The location of the well should be preferably at the center of the command area so that the length of the distribution system is minimum.
1.3.10 Spacing
In absence of any groundwater legislation, institutional agencies enforce technical discipline in the form of spacing between two ground water structures for proper and efficient development of groundwater. The State groundwater deparment conducts pumping tests and recommends optimum spacing between the wells which should be observed in the field.
1.3.11 Unit Cost
Based on the average design of well in the scheme areas, unit cost of the structure should be estimated adopting district schedule of rates and the total financial outlay of the scheme should be worked out for the physical programme envisaged. However, actual cost of well may vary from location to location and loan should be sanctioned for actual cost of well. It is important to avoid under financing of well that may render the investment infructuous.
1.3.12 Pumpset
Proper selection of pumpset in conformity with BIS 10804-1994 is important to achieve maximum output at minimum capital and operation cost. The scheme should give the type of pumpset (diesel/electric), requirement of horsepower of the pumpset, size of suction/delivery pipes for the required discharge and operating head as per average agronomical practices and hydrogeological conditions in the scheme area. If site conditions require construction of a pit for installation of the pumpset or use of belt drive, coupled pumpset, these should also be given in the scheme and its cost provided for. (NABARD model scheme on Selection and Financing of Agricultural Pumpsets may be referred to).
1.3.13 Economics
The economics of investment should be given in detail to justify the loan. The scheme should also give details about subsidies,if any, repayment schedule, rate of interest etc.
1.3.14 Check list
A checklist should always accompany the proposal. This would help to check at a glance whether or not the details of essential items of scheme formulations have been incorporated. A check list is given in Annexure – I.
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