Knowledge exchange and capacity building of farmers on enhancing water productivity – a case study of Odisha, India

Knowledge enhancement, knowledge exchange and capacity building are the basis for empowerment, i.e., strengthening people’s capacity to determine their own goals. Enhancing farm production or water productivity efficiently, ultimately depends on management efficiency and improvement in managerial efficiency, which can only be brought through empowering farmers by upgrading their knowledge and skill, the key driver of accelerated agricultural growth. Thus, the major challenges that are faced in agriculture can be addressed by creating awareness among farmers. The dialogue with farmers about water productivity enhancement is a huge task. Awareness on small interventions which enhance water productivity will play the key role. This challenges the capacity of both extension workers, farmers, farming systems and even the environment. By involving communities in water management at the local level, they can be enabled to gain a better understanding of why enhancing water productivity is important. It is also necessary for the state governments to collaborate with community-based organizations or NGOs in identified areas within the broad spectrum of water management. This process was adopted in implementing one project in Odisha, by the Govt. of India in collaboration with Food & Agriculture Organisation, India (FAO-India). In this project, three cluster villages were selected and a group of farmers from these villages were convinced to diversify towards producing fruits and vegetables, and millets, which requires less water and provides nutrition. For this, relevant facilities were created like providing quality seeds, on farm demonstrations were organised for pre-and postharvest management, capacity building programmes were organised, buy back arrangements were made, custom hiring centres were established, and a farmer producer organisation (FPO) was formed. This led to quality production and increased income of farmers. Therefore, knowledge management and capacity building are needed for research, development and up-scaling water management capabilities of various stakeholders for enhancing water productivity.