Abstract

Watershed programme is an integrated one, addressing the problems in rain fed areas. It addresses the environmental and ecological problems like deforestation, over-utilization of water and most importantly it seeks to convert unsustainable agriculture to sustainable agriculture besides tackling unemployment and under-employment faced by the farmers as well as landless people. Of all the beneficiaries, the most benefited under watershed porgramme are the farmers. Watershed brings along many favours like improvement in the ground water levels, restoration of eroded soils, crop rotation, improved agricultural technology, increased and improved animal husbandry, more green fodder to their milch and draught cattle etc. Through watershed programme they gained knowledge about soil and water conservation, crop production practices, land use pattern and alternative practices. The present paper is attempted to study the extent of knowledge gained by farmers through watershed programme and adopted in farming in Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh, India.

Key words: Watershed, non government organizations (NGOs), watershed programme, farmers, extent of knowledge, social aspects, development.