International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development

author(s)
Suman L, Mahin Sharif, PS Srikantha Murthy, Seenappa C and Hamsa KR

abstract
In vake of understanding economic impact of Hebbal Nagawara valley project on the beneficiary farmers, this paper is an attempt to enlist and analyse the perceptions and constraints from Chikkaballapur taluka farmers after project inception. For this study, 45 farmers who fall under project benefit area were randomly selected and information on positive and negative externalities aroused after the project implementation in the area was collected. The collected information was analysed using descriptive statistics, tabular analysis and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) tools. The results showed that due to HN valley project, there occurred both positive and negative externalities. Among the six positive externalities listed viz., borewells has replenished, ground water level improved, cropping pattern and intensity has improved along with increased crop yield and they have increased area under irrigation after the project, more than 50 percent yes response was recorded for five among six entities of which highest positive benefit response was given to replenished borewells (93% of respondents). Similarly, among eight negative externalities listed, only one parameter had received “yes” with more than 50 percent of respondents which is given to deteriorated water quality after the project. Further the analysis of these externalities using PCA gave composite index indicating that the positive externalities (0.66) outweighed negative externalities (0.22) which says overall impact of the HN Valley Project on farmers is beneficial rather than harming them. The water samples test reports also shown that heavy metals were found to be Below Detectable Levels (BDL) and most of other elements are within permissible limits. Thus, the findings revealed that the treated sewage water meets all safety requirements and is more beneficial to farming community in the area.