Soil and water conservation and improved crop management effects on watershed productivity in Andhra Pradesh, India

The implementation of soil and water conservation, and improved crop management programs in 1983 in a watershed area of Andhra Pradesh, India, has increased agricultural productivity. There has been an increase in the water-table and per capita income, improvement in the fodder supply, and a reduction in water runoff. Check dams were built and a percolation tank was modernized to store runoff water and check soil erosion. A system was developed to provide seeds, fertilizer and pesticides to the farmers instead of cash loans.