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<p>Developmental initiatives play a crucial role in enhancing the agricultural sustainability by improving water availability and climate resilience, particularly in water sensitive regions. In India, developmental activities like Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) have brought a major change in the livelihood of people and many studies have addressed the extent and impact of these activities using quantitative and field measurements. However, there are very few studies which have assessed the geospatial impact of the same on agricultural productivity and cropping intensity. The present study evaluates the impact of MGNREGA water conservation (WC) activities on agricultural productivity and environmental conditions in the Kanigiri region of Prakasam district from 2017 to 2021. The study employed a machine learning based SVM algorithm to assess the land use changes, while satellite image derived variables like Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Soil Moisture Index (SMI), Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI), Land Surface Temperature (LST), and Evapotranspiration (ET), were used to assesses changes in cropping intensity, soil moi4sture, groundwater recharge, and other climatic changes within the study area. Results indicate a significant improvement in vegetation cover and water retention in soil after the construction of farm ponds in the study area. These results were evidenced by increased NDVI and NSMI values over the study period. Double and triple cropping areas expanded substantially between 2017 and 2021, with double cropping increasing from 0.59 to 5.72&#xa0;sq.km and triple cropping area from 0.20 to 1.52&#xa0;sq.km within a 1&#xa0;km buffer around the farm pond activities. Eight villages which have reported multiple water conservation activities demonstrated a strong positive correlation (0.8–0.95) between NDVI and NSMI values, indicating an evident impact of WC activities in improving soil moisture and crop growth even in upstream areas. The local field observations and interactions with farmers aligned with the rainfall data sourced from CHIRPS sensor showcased an increase in rainfall from 97.36&#xa0;mm to 98.32&#xa0;mm from 2017 to 2021. The groundwater levels around the WC activities improved by 3–5% during the study period whereas seasonal temperatures reported a slight decline in Kharif and Rabi seasons, and a slight warming in Zaid season. The rise in ET, particularly within the 1&#xa0;km buffer around farm ponds, further supports the role of WC activities in enhancing water-use efficiency and crop productivity. All the positive observations from the geospatial analysis were then validated through farmer interactions who have reported an increase in groundwater and bore water availability after the construction of farm ponds. The results were then aligned with multiple SDGs including SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) for improved crop intensity and soil moisture, SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) for improved ground water and bore well recharges, SDG 13 (Climate Action) for positive changes in temperature and rainfall, and SDG 15 (Life on Land) for improved land productivity. Overall, this research provides a reliable methodology for integrating geospatial analysis with water conservation policies. The findings highlight how localized interventions under MGNREGA can drive regional agricultural sustainability and contribute to sustainable development goals.</p>

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Geo-spatial Impact Evaluation of Developmental Initiatives in a Water-Sensitive Region of India Supporting Sustainable Development Goals

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年7月3日

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  • Suneetha Manne,
  • Veeramallu Satya Sahithi,
  • Radhesyam Vaddi,
  • Hemanth Cheepulla,
  • Girish S. Pujar,
  • M. S. R. Murthy

摘要

Developmental initiatives play a crucial role in enhancing the agricultural sustainability by improving water availability and climate resilience, particularly in water sensitive regions. In India, developmental activities like Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) have brought a major change in the livelihood of people and many studies have addressed the extent and impact of these activities using quantitative and field measurements. However, there are very few studies which have assessed the geospatial impact of the same on agricultural productivity and cropping intensity. The present study evaluates the impact of MGNREGA water conservation (WC) activities on agricultural productivity and environmental conditions in the Kanigiri region of Prakasam district from 2017 to 2021. The study employed a machine learning based SVM algorithm to assess the land use changes, while satellite image derived variables like Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Soil Moisture Index (SMI), Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI), Land Surface Temperature (LST), and Evapotranspiration (ET), were used to assesses changes in cropping intensity, soil moi4sture, groundwater recharge, and other climatic changes within the study area. Results indicate a significant improvement in vegetation cover and water retention in soil after the construction of farm ponds in the study area. These results were evidenced by increased NDVI and NSMI values over the study period. Double and triple cropping areas expanded substantially between 2017 and 2021, with double cropping increasing from 0.59 to 5.72 sq.km and triple cropping area from 0.20 to 1.52 sq.km within a 1 km buffer around the farm pond activities. Eight villages which have reported multiple water conservation activities demonstrated a strong positive correlation (0.8–0.95) between NDVI and NSMI values, indicating an evident impact of WC activities in improving soil moisture and crop growth even in upstream areas. The local field observations and interactions with farmers aligned with the rainfall data sourced from CHIRPS sensor showcased an increase in rainfall from 97.36 mm to 98.32 mm from 2017 to 2021. The groundwater levels around the WC activities improved by 3–5% during the study period whereas seasonal temperatures reported a slight decline in Kharif and Rabi seasons, and a slight warming in Zaid season. The rise in ET, particularly within the 1 km buffer around farm ponds, further supports the role of WC activities in enhancing water-use efficiency and crop productivity. All the positive observations from the geospatial analysis were then validated through farmer interactions who have reported an increase in groundwater and bore water availability after the construction of farm ponds. The results were then aligned with multiple SDGs including SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) for improved crop intensity and soil moisture, SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) for improved ground water and bore well recharges, SDG 13 (Climate Action) for positive changes in temperature and rainfall, and SDG 15 (Life on Land) for improved land productivity. Overall, this research provides a reliable methodology for integrating geospatial analysis with water conservation policies. The findings highlight how localized interventions under MGNREGA can drive regional agricultural sustainability and contribute to sustainable development goals.