Impact of Minor Irrigation on Farmers’ Employment, Income and Production: An Empirical Study

Publication Details

Publication Date

10/10/2026

Volume / Issue

Vol 1, Issue 5 (2026)

Article No.

082

Journal

British Journal of Contemporary Research

DOI

https://doi.org/10.67693/BJCR-CIHDS3AN

Received

30 Sep 2026

Views

18

Downloads

13

Abstract

Minor irrigation plays an important role in stabilising agricultural production, generating employment, and improving rural households' economic conditions, notably in regions where agriculture depends heavily on rainfall. This paper examines the role and impact of minor irrigation on farmers’ employment, income, and agricultural production using field-level data from 120 farmers selected from Kamalapur, Kesamudram, Mancherial, and Khammam. The study finds that tanks are the principal source of irrigation for most respondents, with 73.3 per cent depending primarily on tanks. Paddy is the dominant irrigated crop, reported by 87.5 per cent of the respondents. The sample mainly comprises marginal and small farmers, with marginal farmers accounting for 53.3 per cent. Agricultural income is concentrated in the ₹20,001–30,000 per-acre category for 35.8 per cent of respondents, while 13.3 per cent earn more than ₹40,000 per acre. The evidence suggests that access to minor irrigation supports more reliable cultivation, increases demand for agricultural labour and contributes to farm income and production. However, the study also reveals constraints such as dependence on non-institutional credit and relatively small landholdings. The findings underline the relevance of maintaining tanks, improving water-use efficiency and strengthening institutional support for small and marginal farmers.

License

This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License . Free to read, share, and adapt with attribution.