JalaSpandana initiated SRI exercise in Mushtur village of Gangavathi taluk in TungabhadraBasin in Karnataka and Palakkad District of Kerala.

JalaSpandana initiated the idea of promoting SRI paddy cultivation method in Lower Bhavani Irrigation Project (LBP) in CauveryBasin in Tamil Nadu through the local agencies. The federation of farmers of LBP water users associations is well established users institution voluntarily formed by the representatives of WUAs in LBP. Command area. There are 44 water users associations in LBP command area spread across 2.7 lakh acres. JalaSpandana through its State chapter called ‘Tamilaga Velan Neevala Niruvanam’ promoted the idea of SRI practice in LBP command area with the help of water users associations. The LBP federation showed keen interest in promoting SRI and allocate funds to this activity.

This booklet details with the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) method of paddy cultivation carried out by JalaSpandana in Rajolibanda Diversion Scheme, Priyadharshini Jurala Project and Kurnool Cuddapah Canal in Krishna Basin in Andhra Pradesh. It highlights the different approach experimented in carrying out training programme, SRI as water conservation technology, livelihoods, myths and realities of SRI, cost benefit, chemical application in SRI, etc.

On 25th October 2007, JalaSpandana organised one day workshop on ‘Sugarcane Policy in India – Problems and Prospects’ at Urban Health Research and Training Institute, BBMP, Kodandarapuram, Bangalore. The workshop basically focused on the policy adopted by different states in India especially South India. Participants from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Pondicherry did homework before coming to the workshop. The workshop was organised in such a way that representatives from each of these states made presentation in their state language which was simultaneously translated into other languages for the benefit of effective discussion.

The representatives of Japanese Bank of International Cooperation (JBIC) Ms. Onishi and Mr. Ebiharah made two days visit to Kurnool Cuddapah Canal to understand the capacity building and sustainability of WUAs programme carried out by Irrigation and CAD through NGOs. For press coverage on WUAs training see also
http://www.hinduonnet.com/2007/02/27/stories/2007022706690300.htm

This paper deals with the comparative analysis of traditional water management practices in tank systems and water sector reforms carried out by Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu in South India. The analysis on the one hand covers three cases of tanks selected from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, which illustrates the cultural values in water management that ensures equity, efficiency and sustainability of tank institutions.