Tank performance and multiple uses in Tamil Nadu, South India
Palanisami, K.M.inzen-Dick, R.
Irrigation and drainage systems 15(2): 173-195
2001
DOI: 10.1023/a:1012927722965
Accession: 003957776
Irrigation tanks in India are common property resources. The land and water resources of tanks provide not only for irrigation, but also trees, fishing, domestic water supply, livestock, and a number of minor uses. Using empirical results from a study of tank performance from 80 tanks in Tamil Nadu, South India, this paper evaluates tank irrigation system performance both in terms of irrigation as well as irrigation and other multiple benefits. Ranking of tanks' performance changes substantially, depending on which measure is used. The results indicate that taking other productive uses (excluding domestic and livestock) into account, raises the total value of output by approximately 13%, and increases the total revenue mobilized from tanks by 213%. Taking all revenue into account tanks are not subsidized by the government, but currently fees are not channeled back to support tank operations and maintenance.