Sustainable Rural Development and Participatory Approach by On-Farm Water Management Techniques

Abstract

Food security is a human right and represents a serious threat to humankind, originating as it does from a worsening shortage of irrigation water. The sustainability of rural development is purely subjected to ethnic, gender and racial discrimination. The present study takes a look at the On-Farm Water Management (OFWM) programme, a participatory approach providing technical know-how and capital shares for watercourse construction, and improving the capacity building and empowerment of farmers to help them combat poverty and become socially mobile. Mapping, designing and watercourse improvement are contributed by the government, while farmers are obligated to pay their share in the form of labour. Local farmers have the necessary know-how about the field geographical area, raw material, procurement and local customs. During the course of this study, four Tehsils of the district of Faisalabad, Pakistan, were chosen as experimental units. The project conclusion resulted in 33% more water being saved by improved watercourses. About 25% arid area was brought under cultivation by saving irrigation water as well as generating 30% more employment. Overall, 50% of the economic situation was improved in rural areas, which is really a great step forward in achieving sustained rural development.