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Home / Data & Insights / Data Explorer

Category: Agriculture

Evaluation study on Soil Conservation in Kerala 2013-14

Published Date: 05, July 2016

Jurisdiction : Kerala

Scheme : Evaluation of Soil Conservation

View Count : 3350

Evaluation study on Soil Conservation in Kerala 2013-14

Evaluation study on Soil Conservation in Kerala 2013-14

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Transcript

Government of Kerala 	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 	
Evaluation Study on Soil Conservation in Kerala - 2013-14 	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  D	
EPARTMENT OF 	ECONOMICS 	& STATISTICS	 	
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM	 
2016

PREFACE 
 
 
 	
  One  of  the  most  valuable  gifts  of  nature  to  mankind  is  soil.    For  the  maintenance  of  soil, 
adequate  protection  and  conservation  is  necessary.  Due  to  the  peculiarity  of  the  rainfall  and 
topography  of  the  state,  soil  conservation  assumes  importance  in  our  planning  process.  Heavy  soil 
erosion  results  in  the loss  of fertility and  moisture  content  of the  earth’s  surface and  diminishing  rate 
of  agricultural  production.  Hence  Government  is  implementing  various  soil  conservation  measures 
through the  soil conservation department, local  bodies, etc.,  for  maintaining the fertility and  moisture 
content  of  the  surface  soil.  The  Evaluation  study  of  soil  conservation  schemes  has  been  done  by  the 
Directorate of Economics and Statistics for all districts except Wayanad. This  report  relates  to  the 
survey  results  of  36  schemes  completed  by  the  Soil  Conservation  Department  and  various  other 
agencies.    The  field  survey  was  conducted  during  the  agricultural  year      2013-14  by  the  Statistical 
Investigators  under  the  supervision  of  the  Research  Officer  and  Deputy  Director  in  the  District 
Offices.  The schemes implemented  and  completed  before five years are taken up  for  study so  that  full 
benefit  of the scheme could  be  evaluated  and  assessed.    This  evaluation  study results  may be much  of 
use to  Administrators,  Statisticians,  Research  Scholars,  Agricultural  Geologists  and  others  interested 
in the subject. 
  I  acknowledge  my  thanks  to  the staff  of  Soil  Conservation  Department  and  other local  bodies 
for  their  valuable  suggestion  and  whole hearted  co-operation  for  the  successful  conduct  of  the survey 
in the state. 
          
                    Sd/- 
 
  V. RAMACHANDRAN 
Thiruvananthapuram,                    DIRECTOR GENERAL 
05-07-2016

OFFICERS OF EVALUATION DIVISION 	
 	
Director (SDP) Smt. E. BABY 
Additional Director Sri. P.V.BABU 
Deputy Director Sri. N. SURESH KUMAR 
Research Assistant Smt. O.U.SANDHYA KUMARI 
Statistical Assistants  Grade I Smt. S. MINIMOL 
Statistical Assistants  Grade I Smt. K.K. GRACY 
Statistical Assistants  Grade I Smt. U. SREEKALA  
Statistical Assistants  Grade I Smt. SUNEERA .V P

CONTENTS 
 
 
  Chapter – I  Pages 
1.1  Introduction  1 
1.2  Objectives and Methodology  1 
1.3  Problems of  Soil Erosion  4 
1.4  Methods	
 of Soil Conservation Programmes	 	5 
1.5  Land Use Particulars  5 
  Chapter – II   
2.1  Impact of Soil Conservation Programmes on Land use and crop  pattern  6 
2.2  Cost Benefit Analysis of the Soil Conservation Programmes  30 
  Chapter – III   
3.1  General Observations  34 
3.2  Occupational Profile   37 
3.3  Summary of Findings  38

Evaluation Study on Soil Conservation 2013-14 	
Department of Economics & Statistics, Kerala 	1 	
Chapter – I 	 	
1.1  Introduction  	 
 
Land is one of the basic resources of a nation.  Productive land is the source of human 
sustenance and security.  The  future of the  country and its teeming millions depend to a large 
extent,  the  conservation  of  its  fertile  soil  through  the  proper  land  use  and  scientific 
agricultural practices. 	
 
  Soil conservation means  applying of all  necessar y  practices to maintain the  capabilit y 
of land for which it is suited and to improve the productivity of agricultural land.  Considering 
the  importance  of  soil  conservation  our  plan  provisions  enhanced  for  optimizing  the  use  of 
land  resources.    An  evaluation  stud y  in  this  front  can  be  helpful  for  developing  much  more 
suitable conservation measures . 
 
1.2   Objectives and Methodology  
 
The main objectives of the evaluation study are:  	
 
1.  To  assess  the  benefit  of  the  programme  particularly  in  relation  to  the  cultivation  of 
seasonal and perennial crops. 
2.  To throw light on various aspects like cost benefit analysis, production potential etc 
3.  To  estimate  the  extent  of  additional  area  brought  under  cultivation  consequent  on  the 
implementation of the programme. 
4.  To  study  the  effects  of  the  work  carried  out  by  the  Soil  Conservation  Department  in 
this direction 
  For this, schemes were selected which were executed five  years prior to the survey i.e. 
during    2008-09  in  the  State  by  the  Soil  Conservation  Department  ,Local  Self  Government 
Department  as  other  Government  agencies.    The  study  covered  all  the  districts  of  the  State 
except  Wayanad.    The  list  of  beneficiaries  under  each  scheme  is  collected  from  the  Soil 
Conservation Department Local Self Government Department as other Government agencies.   
The  beneficiaries  are  selected  b y  stratified  random  sampling  method  on  the  basis  of  the  area 
of the holding.  The holdings are stratified into four stratum. 
Holdings with less than 1 acre  -	
 	Stratum I 
Holdings with 1 acre or more but less than 3 acres  -	
 	Stratum II 
Holdings with 3 acre or more but less than 5 acres  -	
 	Stratum III 
Holdings with 5 acres and above  -	
 	Stratum IV

Evaluation Study on Soil Conservation 2013-14 	
Department of Economics & Statistics, Kerala 	2 	
 
Selection of Beneficiaries  
 
  Selection  of  beneficiaries  is  done  from  the  list  of  beneficiaries  collected  from  Soil 
Conservation Department, local bodies and other Government agencies.  25  beneficiaries are 
selected from each scheme  by  simple  random sampling covering all the  above 4 stratum with 
at  least 6  from each stratum.  If in any stratum, the total number of beneficiaries in the  frame 
is  less than the  number to be selected, the shortfall is compensated from another stratum with 
the  nearest  area  of  the  holding.    For  the  purpose  of  comparison  5  control  plots  are  also 
selected  from  the  scheme  area,  where  the  soil  conservation  works  are  not  carried  out  under 
any scheme.  The district wise selection details of beneficiar y plots and control plots are given 
in the table 1 & 1 (a).	
 	
Table – 1 
Statement showing stratum wise distribution of selected beneficiaries  (Area in Acres)	
  
Sl 
No:  Districts  No. of 
schemes 
selected  Stratum 
– I  Stratum  – II  Stratum  – III  Stratum  – IV  Total 	
No.  Area 
in acre  No.  Area in 
acre  No.  Area 
in acre  No.  Area in 
acre  No.  Area in 
acre 	
1 	Thiruvananthapuram	 	5  117	 	23.91  8  12.62	 	0  0  0  0	 	125  36.53 	
2 	Kollam  1  108	 	34.71  17  28.17	 	0  0  0  0	 	125  62.88 	
3 	Pathanamthitta  2  125	 	43.04  0  0	 	0  0  0  0	 	125  43.04 	
4 	Alappuzha 1  79  33.21  46  51.30	 	0  0  0  0	 	125  84.51 	
5 	Kottayam 1  55  25.91  60  98.07	 	7  25.68  3  17.99	 	125  167.65 	
6 	Idukki 1  108	 	54.91  17  22.50	 	0  0  0  0	 	125  77.41 	
7 	Eranakulam 5  61  35.95  64  95.41	 	0  0  0  0	 	125  131.36 	
8 	Thrissur 2  65  18.25  58  95.42	 	2  6.95  0  0	 	125  120.62 	
9 	Palakkad 3  95  37.21  28  44.22	 	2  6.21  0  0	 	125  87.64 	
10 	Malappuram 5  49  27.42  74  137.17	 	1  3.61  1  5.47	 	125  173.67 	
11 	Kozhikkode 3  34  15.46  87  145.16	 	3  11.76  1  5.70	 	125  178.08 	
12	 	Kannoor 5  37  21.61  86  128.48	 	1  4.00  1  5.00	 	125  159.09 	
13 	Kasaragod 2  13  8.26  41  62.12	 	20  76.82  21  173.91	 	95  321.11 	
Total  36  946  379.85  586  920.64  36  135.03  27  208.07  1595  1643.59

Evaluation Study on Soil Conservation 2013-14 	
Department of Economics & Statistics, Kerala 	3 	
Table –I (a) 
Statement showing stratum wise distribution of selected Control Plots 	
                 	(Area in acres)  	
Sl. 
No  Districts  No. of 
schemes  selected  Stratum 
– I  Stratum  – II  Stratum  – III  Stratum  – IV  Total 	
No.  Area 
in acre  No.  Area in 
acre  No.  Area 
in 
acre  No.  Area 
in 
acre  No.  Area in 
acre 	
1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  0  12  13 
1 
Thiruvananthapuram  5  23  5.95  2  3.55  0  0  0  0  25  9.5 
2 Kollam  1  24  6.06  1  1.00  0  0  0  0  25  7.06 
3 
Pathanamthitta  2  15  8.76  10  12.17  0  0  0  0  25  20.93 
4 Alappuzha  1  16  5.10  9  10.82  0  0  0  0  25  15.92 
5 
Kottayam  1  10  5.59  10  16.59  3  10.35  2  14.05  25  46.58 
6 
Idukki  1  18  9.89  6  10.45  1  3.20  0  0  25  23.54 
7 
Eranakulam  5  9  6.32  15  21.30  0  0  1  10.75  25  38.37 
8 
Thrissur  2  12  4.46  12  19.36  1  3.50  0  0  25  27.32 
9 
Palakkad  3  11  3.39  14  23.50  0  0  0  0  25  26.89 
10 
Malappuram  5  9  3.58  14  21.33  1  3.50  1  5.50  25  33.91 
11 
Kozhikkode  3  8  3.80  17  27.61  0  0  0  0  25  31.41 
12 
Kannoor  5  9  5.53  16  26.19  0  0  0  0  25  31.72 
13 
Kasaragod  2  1  0.85  5  8.78  11  42.65  8  54.50  25  106.78 	
Total 36  165  69.28  131  202.65  17  63.20  12  84.80  325  419.93 	
 
The  total  number of beneficiaries  comes  to  1595.    About  59.31%  of  the  beneficiaries 
are  having  holding  less  than  one  acre,  36.74%  are  having  holdings  one  acre  or  more  but  less 
than 3 acres,2.26% are having holding 3 acre or more but less than 5 acres and only 1.69% of 
the beneficiaries are having holdings of more than 5 acres.  In order to compare the benefits of 
the  implementation  of  Soil  Conservation  Programmes,  control  plots  were  also  selected.    Its 
distribution  is  50.77%,  40.31%,  5.23%  and  3.69%  respectively  under  Stratum  I,  II,  III         
and IV.                                                                                                                                                                   	
 	
Following  schedules  were  used  for  collecting  the  details  from  beneficiar y  plots  and 
control plots. 
Schedule I  -  List of selected beneficiaries 
Schedule II  -  Detailed study of the selected beneficiaries 
Schedule III  -  List of control plots 
Schedule IV  -  Detailed enumeration of the control plots

Evaluation Study on Soil Conservation 2013-14 	
Department of Economics & Statistics, Kerala 	4 	
 
1.1 	Problems of Soil Erosion 
   
Soil  erosion  means  the  disappearance  of  the  topsoil  b y  the  action  of  wind  and  water.  
Ultimately soil erosion leads the desertification of land.  Degradation of natural resources has 
lead  to  many  indirect  damages,  such  as  increasing  extent  of  wasteland,  soil  erosion,  land 
sliding,  etc.  all  these  cumulatively  or  independently  affected  agricultural  area  or  reduce 
agricultural productivity.  Unlike other parts of the country, Kerala has some unique land form 
related  aspects  such  as  over  90%  of  the  geographical  area  is  either  in  midland  or  high  land 
category.  The average rate of soil erosion in the country, to the tune of 16.3t/ha/yr  – has been 
alarming  and  has  to  be  checked.    In  hilly  areas,  the  rate  is  much  higher,  i.e.  about  30  to  50 
t/ha/yr/,  considering  that  about  5cm  to  10  cm  of  the  top  soil  (ranging  from  0.05m  to  0.1  m 
depth)  is  being  lost  ever y  year  due  to  lead  management  practices.    It  has  been  estimated  9-5 
lakh hectares of cultivated land in the State is having soil erosion problems. 
 	
 
Responsibility for prevention of erosion    
 
  Land  which  is  one  of  the  precious  gifts  of  the  nature  embodies  soil,  water  and 
associated  flora  and  fauna  involving  the  total  ecosystem.    The  topography  of  the  land  plays 
the  most  important  role  in  soil  erosion.    Kerala  is  a  narrow  strip  of  land  (width  varies  from   
15 Km to 120  Km) situated on the  Western Slopes of the  Western Ghats (the Sahyadri).  The 
ver y steep slopes facilitate quick run off of the  rainfall resulting  in  low  time  of concentration 
poor  ground  water  recharge.    This  high  velocity  of  the  surface  flow  causes  soil  displacement 
and movement.  The surface soil gets washed away along with the running water.    The major 
portion of the state is laterite and as such is more prone to erosion.  The different forms of soil 
erosion  cause  huge  damage  to  Kerala ’s  economy  ever y  year  and  reported  casualities      every 
year due to landslides in monsoon season.

Evaluation Study on Soil Conservation 2013-14 	
Department of Economics & Statistics, Kerala 	5 	
1.4    Methods of Soil Conservation Programme  
Soil  Conservation  practices  are  mainly  grouped  into  two  categories  viz.  Agronomical 
and  Engineering  measures.  Agronomic  measures  are  comparatively  less  costly  such  as 
contour  ploughing  /  optimal  fertilizing,  organic  farming,  etc.    Engineering  measures  include 
contour  bunding,  land  leveling,  construction  of  check  dams  and  water  harvesting  structure, 
etc. At present various watershed programmes are being implemented in the state for effective 
preservation and management of the natural resources. 
 
 
1.5   Land Use Particulars of the State   
 There  has  been  a  significant  change  in  the  land  use  of  the  state  over  the  years.    On 
many  occasions  the  change  is  adversely  affecting  the  environment  b y  way  of  intensified  soil 
erosion, water logging, conversion of padd y lands, etc. are some of the examples.  Cultivation 
of  very  steep  lands  without  adopting  scientific  conservation  practices  lead  to  heavy  soil 
erosion.    Use  of  chemicals  on  a  large  scale  for  agricultural  productions  leaves  dangerous 
quantities of the residues in the soil and the water sources.

Evaluation Study on Soil Conservation 2013-14 	
Department of Economics & Statistics, Kerala 	6 	
 
Chapter – II 
2.1  Impact of Soil Conservation Programme on Land Use and Crop Pattern   
      Before  1994-95,  soil  conservation  programme  was  executed  by 
Department  of  Agriculture/Soil  and  Water  conservation,  etc.    There  was  increased 
emplo yment  to  rural  people  due  to  soil  and  water  conservation  works  and  this  improved 
income  of  people  and  reduced  migration  of  labour  from  these  places  to  outside.    Soil  and 
water  conservation  structures  in  arable  and  non  arable  lands  reduced  soil  erosion,  soil  loss, 
run-off  water,  etc.  and  increased  rainwater  infiltration,  ground  water  table,  surface  storage, 
cropping  intensity,  productivity  of  crops,  etc.    As  long  as  works  were  carried  out  based  on 
funding  b y  Government  and  subsides  provided  for  supporting  income  generating  enterprises, 
there was positive impact. 
After  1994-95,  there  was  a  proposal  from  the  Government  that  people  should 
contribute 5-10% or more towards soil and water conservation works.  Farmers contributed in 
some of the watersheds based on the direct benefits derived from such activities; 
Soil  can  be  well  maintained  through  bunding  (mechanical  and  mechanical-cum-
vegetative  barriers),  deep  ploughing,  leveling,  smoothening,  etc.    Bunding  was  accepted  by 
farmers  to  strengthen  existing  bunds  without  any  obstruction  in  their  plot      Moisture 
conservation on measures increased yield magically. 
Farmers in different parts reported that  the  fact that the sustainability of  agriculture  is 
only  possible  b y  soil  and  water  conservation  measures.    They  also  reported  that  soil  erosion 
can  be  minimized  and  irrigation  potentials  can  be  improved  through  soil  and  water 
conservation measures.  In addition, vegetation covering the soil is a must for minimizing soil 
loss even further. 
Table 2 gives number of beneficiaries selected in each district and cost of the  selected 
schemes. Also gives total area covered under the schemes in each district. In 2013-14 year 36 
schemes were selected from 13 districts.

Evaluation Study on Soil Conservation 2013-14 	
Department of Economics & Statistics, Kerala 	7 	
Land Use particulars of Beneficiary plots 
  Table  Ns.  3  and  3(a)  reveals  the  land  use  particulars  of  beneficiar y  plots  and  control 
plots  respectively.    It  gives  us  certain  positive  trends  while  comparing  with  the  area  before 
and after soil conservation programme.  Area  increased from. 1490.73 acres to 1507.55 acres 
after the  implementation of soil conservation programme.  An additional area of 16.82 acre of 
land  has  brought  under  cultivation  which  was  not  cultivated  earlier.    Hence  it  can  be  stated 
that  1.13% of  area  over  the  area  cultivated  before  soil  conservation  programme  is  due  to  the 
implementation  of  soil  conservation  measures.    In  other  words  area  under  cultivation  has 
increased from 90.70% to 91.72% by decreasing the current fallow from 	
4.22% to 3.11%.	 
          On examining the district wise data, a marginal increase is noted in the area additionally 
brought  under  cultivation  in  Alappuzha,  Malappuram  ,Thiruvananthapuram,  Idukki  and 
Kannur.

Evaluation Study on Soil Conservation 2013-14 	
Department of Economics & Statistics, Kerala 	8 Table – 2 	
District wise details of area, cost and number of beneficiaries 	
Sl. 
No.  District 
Area (Acres)  Cost (Rs.)  Number of beneficiaries 	
Total  Selected 	
(1) 
(2)  (3) (4) (5) (6) 
1 	Thiruvananthapuram  36.53  9633180  125 
125 	
2 	Kollam 62.88  3883660  125 
125 	
3 	Pathanamthitta 43.04  11772450  125 
125 	
4 	Alappuzha 84.51  1837277  125 
125 	
5 	Kottayam 167.65  6372058  125 
125 	
6 	Idukki 77.41  7646756  309 
125 	
7 	Eranakulam 131.36  2012000  178 
125 	
8 	Thrissur 120.62  5930000  125 
125 	
9 	Palakkad 87.64  141372  125 
125 	
10 	Malappuram 173.67  25242077  125 
125 	
11 	Kozhikkode 178.08  11515330  550 
125 	
12 	Kannur 159.09  20654520  125 
125 	
13 	Kasaragod 321.11  724080  95 
95 	
Total 	1643.59  107364760  2257  1595

Evaluation Study on Soil Conservation 2013-14 	
Department of Economics & Statistics, Kerala 	9 	
Table – 3    Land use particulars of Beneficiary Plots           (Area in Acres) 	
Sl. No  Districts  Area cultivated 
Current fallow 	
Before SC Work  After SC Work  Before SC 
Work After SC Work 
Area  %  Area  %  Area  %  Area  % 	
1 
2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10 
1  Thiruvananthapuram  28.67  78.48  32.47  88.89  1.60  4.38  0.08  0.22 
2  Kollam  53.89  85.70  53.89  85.70  0.67  1.07  0.67  1.06 
3  Pathanamthitta  39.96  92.84  39.96  92.84  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00 
4  Alappuzha 74.17  87.76  74.86  88.58  3.22  3.81  1.49  1.76 
5  Kottayam 152.59  91.02  152.10  90.72  0.65  0.39  1.09  0.65 
6  Idukki  74.59  96.36  76.93  99.38  1.17  1.51  0.20  0.26 
7  Eranakulam 115.31  87.78  115.31  87.78  14.03  10.68  14.03  10.68 
8  Thrissur 120.62  100.00  120.62  100.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00 
9  Palakkad  77.38  88.29  77.80  88.77  1.49  1.70  1.47  1.68 
10  Malappuram  153.61  88.45  162.39  93.50  13.58  7.82  4.80  2.76 
11  Kozhikkode  166.08  93.26  165.66  93.03  1.48  0.83  1.48  0.83 
12  Kannoor 150.48  94.59  152.18  95.66  1.70  1.07  0.10  0.06 
13  Kasaragod 283.38  88.25  283.38  88.25  29.73  9.26  25.73  8.01 	
Total 1490.73  90.70  1507.55  91.72  69.32  4.22  51.14  3.11

Evaluation Study on Soil Conservation 2013-14 	
Department of Economics & Statistics, Kerala 	10 	
Table – 3   Contd...  	
Sl. 
No  Districts  Other use 
Area not cultivated 	
Before SC Work  After SC Work  Before SC 
Work  After SC Work 
Area  %  Area  %  Area  %  Area  % 	
1  2  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18 
1 
Thiruvananthapuram	 	3.96  10.84	 	3.96  10.84	 	2.30  6.30  0.02  0.05 	
2 Kollam  8.18  13.01	 	8.18  13.01	 	0.14  0.22  0.14  0.22 	
3 
Pathanamthitta  3.08  7.16  3.08  7.16  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00 
4 Alappuzha  6.93  8.20  8.00  9.47  0.19  0.22  0.16  0.19 
5 
Kottayam  9.97  5.95  10.02  5.98  4.44  2.65  4.44  2.65 
6 
Idukki  0.55  0.71  0.25  0.32  1.10  1.42  0.03  0.04 
7 
Eranakulam  2.02  1.54  2.02  1.54  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00 
8 
Thrissur  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00 
9 
Palakkad  8.66  9.88  8.26  9.42  0.11  0.13  0.11  0.13 
10 
Malappuram  2.36  1.36  2.36  1.36  4.12  2.37  4.12  2.37 
11 
Kozhikkode  9.02  5.07  9.44  5.30  1.50  0.84  1.50  0.84 
12 
Kannur  4.31  2.71  4.31  2.71  2.60  1.63  2.50  1.57 
12 
Kasaragod  3.00  0.93  7.00  2.18  5.00  1.56  5.00  1.56 	
Total 
62.04	 	3.77	 	66.88	 	4.07	 	21.50	 	1.31	 	18.02	 	1.10

Evaluation Study on Soil Conservation 2013-14 	
Department of Economics & Statistics, Kerala 	11 	
Table 3(a) Land Use particulars (Control Plots)  	
Sl.
No.  District 
Area  Cultivated  Current  Fallow  Other  Use  Area Not 
Cultivated  Total 	
Area  %  Area  %  Area  %  Area  %  Area  % 	
1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12 
1  Thiruvananth
apuram  7.11  74.84  0.01  0.11  0.92  9.68  1.46  15.37  9.50  100 
2  Kollam  5.48  77.62  0.05  0.71  1.53  21.6
7  0.00  0.00  7.06  100 
3  Pathanamthitt
a 
18.19  86.91  0.00  0.00  2.61  12.4
7  0.13  0.62  20.93  100 
4  Alappuzha  13.35  83.86  1.26  7.91  1.31  8.23  0.00  0.00  15.92  100 
5  Kottayam  44.47  95.47  0.00  0.00  1.91  4.10  0.20  0.43  46.58  100 
6  Idukki  21.68  92.10  0.66  2.80  0.70  2.97  0.50  2.12  23.54  100 
7  Eranakulam  24.1  62.81  1.00  2.61  11.3
7  29.6
3  1.90  4.95  38.37  100 
8  Thrissur  27.32  100.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  0.00  27.32  100 
9  Palakkad  23.82  88.58  0.56  2.08  2.31  8.59  0.20  0.74  26.89  100 
10  Malappuram  33.02  97.38  0.30  0.88  0.04  0.12  0.55  1.62  33.91  100 
11  Kozhikkode  25.95  82.62  2.70  8.60  2.21  7.04  0.55  1.75  31.41  100 
12  Kannoor  26.13  82.38  1.54  4.85  1.19  3.75  2.86  9.02  31.72  100 
13  Kasaragod  68.38  64.04  4.80  4.50  5.55  5.20  28.05  26.27 	
106.7
8  100 	
   Total  339.00  80.73  12.88  3.07  31.6
5  7.54  36.40  8.67  419.9
3  100

Evaluation Study on Soil Conservation 2013-14 	
Department of Economics & Statistics, Kerala 	12 	
 
Crop Pattern 
 
  In  order  to  reduce  the  soil  loss  an  appropriate  cropping  pattern  is  essential.    The 
selection  of  suitable  vegetation  that  form  good  canopy  can  reduce  erosion  since  soil  loss  is 
governed  b y  the  extent  of  exposed  land  surface.    The  binding  force  of  the  roots  also  offers 
good  resistance  to  erosion.    Grass  roots  have  excellent  soil  binding  property.    Legumes  are 
also  good  soil  binders.    The  grasses,  legumes  and  tree  crops  are  classified  as  erosion 
preventing  or  soil  conserving  crops  while  cereals,  tapioca,  ginger,  etc.  are  erosion 
permitting/erosion favouring crops. 
   Depending  upon  the  capability  class  to  which  a  land  belongs  and  the  socio-economic 
needs  of  the  people,  the  appropriate  crops  can  be selected  to  achieve  maximum  conservation 
of soil and water. 
 
Contour Farming 
    Contour  farming  refers  to  village  practices  of  applying  all  treatments  along  contour; 
i.e.  across  the  direction  of  the  slope.    The  crops  are  cultivated  along  contour  ridges  and 
furrows.  In regions of low rainfall contour farming helps in the conservation of rainwater and 
in  human  areas  it  reduces  soil  loss  and  increases  recharge  of  aquifers.    This  practice  can 
minimize the effects of flash floods and droughts. 
    Mixed  farming,  intercropping,  mixed  cropping;  multistoried  cropping,  etc.  are  also  
beneficial in controlling soil erosion. 
    The  growing  of  perennial  horticultural  crops,  including  plantation  crops  will  give  a 
permanent protective  cover for the  soil.  In high rainfall areas of the  humid tropics this  higher 
level tree cover for the soil helps in reducing the erosive action of highly intensive rainfall. 
    Consequent  in  the  introduction  of  the  soil  conservation  programmes  significant 
changes  in  the  cropping  pattern  occurred  which  favours perennial  crops.    In  Table  4  the  area 
under  perennial  crops  has  increased  from  1230.94  acres  to  1273.25  acres.    It  showed  an

Evaluation Study on Soil Conservation 2013-14 	
Department of Economics & Statistics, Kerala 	13 	
increase  of  3.44%.    At  the  same  time  the  percentage  change  occurred  in  the  cultivation  of 
seasonal  crops  recorded  as  63.96  %.    From  this  we  can  arrive  at  the  conclusion  that  the 
farmers  have  shown  a  tendency  to  cultivate  perennial  crops  in  sloppy  regions  where  the  soil 
conservation  measures  are  carried  out.    The  cultivation  of  seasonal  crops  in  such  regions  is 
likely to increase  soil erosion.  In seasonal crops, the cultivation of Banana, Plantain, Tapioca 
and  Ginger  exhibited  comparative  increase.    The  respective  percentage  changes  recorded  as 
189.90%, 68.54%, 56.99%, 53.52% respectively.  
   Table  No.  5  reveals  that  after  the  introduction  of  soil  conservation  programmes, 
Rubber and Coconut have  occupied the  large area under perennial crops contains 592.80 acre 
and 483.76 acre respectively. The percentage increase of Cocoa comes an increase of 25.78%. 
The  Variation  of  area  under  Arecanut  and  Cashew  have  decreased  to  41.97%  and  23.49% 
after the Soil Conservation Programme. 
   
On  going  through  the  district  wise  data,  it  is  noted  that  the  cropping  area  under 
different crops are interchanged according to the suitability of land.

Evaluation Study on Soil Conservation 2013-14 	
Department of Economics & Statistics, Kerala 	14 	
 
Table – 4 
Crop Pattern (Area wise)   	
Sl. No.  Districts  Perennial crops 
Seasonal Crops 	
Before SC 
work  %  After SC 
work  %  Before SC 
work  %  After SC 
work  % 	
1  2  3 4  5 6 7 8 9 10 
1  Thiruvananthapuram  25.86 
77.54 27.89 
72.50 	7.49	 	22.46 	10.58	 	27.50 	
2  Kollam  62.87 
97.65 62.89 
97.70 	1.51	 	2.35 	1.48	 	2.30 	
3  Pathanamthitta  46.37 
99.25 46.14 
99.10 	0.22	 	0.75 	0.28	 	0.60 	
4  Alappuzha  69.08 
97.31 68.98 
97.00 	1.97	 	2.77 	2.20	 	3.09 	
5  Kottayam  135.76 
99.85 139.84 
99.81 	0.20	 	0.15 	0.27	 	0.19 	
6  Idukki  68.44 
99.16 71.37 
97.59 	0.57	 	0.83 	1.26	 	1.73 	
7  Eranakulam  117.85 
93.56 117.68 
93.39 	8.18	 	6.49 	8.40	 	6.66 	
8  Thrissur  103.91 
100 112.19 
100.00 	0.00	 	0.00 	0.00	 	0.00 	
9  Palakkad  58.26 
96.55 62.51 
94.43 	2.08	 	3.45 	3.69	 	5.57 	
10  Malappuram  118.37 
97.79 137.05 
98.17 	2.68	 	2.21 	2.56	 	1.83 	
11  Kozhikkode  125.15 
94.77 118.43 
85.34 	6.92	 	5.24 	20.84	 	14.96 	
12  Kannoor  126.44 
98.89 130.63 
98.85 	1.42	 	1.11 	1.52	 	1.15 	
13  Kasaragod  172.58 
100 177.65 
99.21 	0.00	 	0.00 	1.42	 	0.79 	
Total  1230.94  97.38  1273.25  95.90  33.24  2.62  54.50  4.10

Evaluation Study on Soil Conservation 2013-14 	
Department of Economics & Statistics, Kerala 	15 
 
 	
 
 Table 5 – Area under selected perennial crops 	
Sl. 
No  Districts  Coconut 
Arecanut  Cashew 	Before SC 
work  After SC 
work  % increase  Before SC 
work  After SC 
work  % increase  Before SC 
work After SC 
work  % 
increase 	
1  2  3 4 5 6  7 8 
9 
10  11 
1  Thiruvananthapuram 	7.64  9.14  19.63  0.26  0.27  3.85  1.65  1.65  0.00 	
2  Kollam 	12.36  12.37  0.08  0.18  0.18  0.00  1.07  1.07  0.00 	
3  Pathanamthitta 	3.16  3.18  0.63  0.06  0.06  0.00  0.90  0.90  0.00 	
4  Alappuzha 	4.95  5.13  3.64  0.15  0.15  0.00 	 	 	 	5  Kottayam 	14.79  16.05  8.52  1.29  1.34  3.88  0.65  0.65  0.00 	
6  Idukki 	6.41  7.27  13.42 	 	 	 	 	 	 	7  Ernakulam 	25.92  26.10  0.69  2.19  2.19  0.00  1.22  1.22  0.00 	
8  Trissur 	103.91  112.19  7.97 	 	 	 	 	 	 	09  Palakkad 	42.49  44.49  4.71  2.62  2.67  1.91  0.03  0.05  66.67 	
10  Malappuram 	79.51  79.37  -0.18  1.46  1.62  10.96  7.81  4.62  -40.85 	
11  Kozhikode 	74.60  78.48  5.20  38.45  11.97  -68.87  0.34  0.47  38.24 	
12  Kannur 	26.99  27.05  0.22  5.66  5.12  -9.54  31.47  22.21  -29.42 	
13  Kasaragod 	62.79  62.94  0.24  10.99  11.17  1.64  6.32  6.53  3.32 	
Total 	465.52  483.76  3.92  63.31  36.74  -41.97  51.46  39.37  -23.49

Evaluation Study on Soil Conservation 2013-14 	
Department of Economics & Statistics, Kerala 	16 	
 Table – 5   Contd...  
 
Sl. 
No  Districts  Cocoa 
Coffee 
Jack Mango 	
Before 
SC work  After SC 
work  % 
increase  Before 
SC 
work  After 
SC 
work  % 
increase  Before 
SC 
work  After 
SC 
work  % 
increase  Before 
SC 
work  After 
SC 
work  % 
increase 	
1  2  15  16  17  16  17  18  19  20  21  25  26  27 
1  Thiruvananthapuram 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	0.15  0.17  13.33 
     	
2  Kollam 	
 	 	 	0  0 	 	2.54  2.53  -0.39  1.14  1.13  -0.88 	
3  Pathanamthitta 	0.15  0.17  13.33  0.01  0.01  0.00  1.07  0.89  -16.82       	
4  Alappuzha 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	0.38  0.38  0.00  0.29  0.31  6.90 	
5  Kottayam 	1.83  1.67  -8.74  0.91  0.91  0.00  0.91  1.26  38.46  0.39  0.39  0.00 	
6  Idukki 	0.64  0.67  4.69  8.80  9.84  11.82 	 	 	 	
     	
7  Ernakulam 	0.25  0.29  16.00  0.19  0.20  5.26  0.71  0.71  0.00  0.01  0.01  0.00 	
8  Thrissur 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
     	
9  Palakkad 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	0.43  0.46  6.98  1.64  2.07  26.22 	
10  Malappuram 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	1.83  2.27  24.04  0.45  0.62  37.78 	
11  Kozhikkode 	0  0.81 	 	0  0.30 	 	2.62  3.30  25.95      	
12  Kannur 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	0.62  0.64  3.23 
     	
13  Kasaragod 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	0  0.02 	 	
     	
Total  	2.87  3.61  25.78  9.91  11.26  13.62  11.26  12.63  12.17  3.92  4.53  15.56

Evaluation Study on Soil Conservation 2013-14 	
Department of Economics & Statistics, Kerala 	17 	
 
Table  – 5   Contd..   
 	
 
 
Sl 
No  Districts  Nutmeg 
Papaya Pepper(Garbled)  Rubber Total 	
Before 
SC 
work  After 
SC 
work  % 
increase  Before 
SC 
work  After 
SC 
work  % 
increase  Before 
SC 
work  After 
SC 
work  % 
increase  Before 
SC 
work  After 
SC 
work  % 
increase  Before 
SC work  After SC 
work  % 
increase 	
1  2  28  29  30  31  32  33  34  35  36  40  41  42       
1  Thiruvananthapuram 	
 	 	 	0.07  0.07  0.00  0.70  0.72  2.86  15.39  15.87  3.12	 	25.86  27.89  7.85 	
2  Kollam 	
 	 	 	0.04  0.04  0.00  2.23  2.23  0.00  43.31  43.34  0.07	 	62.87  62.89  0.03 	
3  Pathanamthitta 	
 	 	 	
        	2.44  2.39  -2.05  38.58  38.54  -0.10	 	46.37  46.14  -0.50 	
4  Alappuzha 	
 	 	 	
        	0.73  0.73  0.00  62.58  62.28  -0.48	 	69.08  68.98  -0.14 	
5  Kottayam 	0.26	 	0.31  19.23 	        	6.35  6.88  8.35  108.38  110.38  1.85	 	135.76  139.84  3.01 	
6  Idukki 	
 	 	 	
        	25.63  26.18  2.15  26.96  27.41  1.67	 	68.44  71.37  4.28 	
7  Ernakulam 	0.80	 	0.80  0.00 	        	1.49  1.51  1.34  85.07  84.65  -0.49	 	117.85  117.68  -0.14 	
8  Thrissur 	
 	 	 	
        	
 	 	 	
     
103.91  112.19  7.97 	
9 Palakkad 	
 	 	 	
        	3.81  4.04  6.04  7.24  8.73  20.58	 	58.26  62.51  7.29 	
10  Malappuram 	
 	 	 	
        	1.31  1.58  20.61  26.00  46.97  80.65	 	118.37  137.05  15.78 	
11  Kozhikkode 	0 	13.53 	 	
        	5.58  4.77  -14.52  3.56  4.80  34.83	 	125.15  118.43  -5.37 	
12  Kannur 	
 	 	 	
        	1.97  2.17  10.15  59.73  73.44  22.95	 	126.44  130.63  3.31 	
13  Kasaragod 	
 	 	 	
        	16.59  20.60  24.17  75.89  76.39  0.66	 	172.58  177.65  2.94 	
Total
 	1.06  14.64	 	1281.13	 	0.11  0.11  0.00  68.83	 	73.80	 	7.22  552.69	 	592.80	 	7.26  1230.94	 	1273.25	 	3.44

Evaluation Study on Soil Conservation 2013-14 	
Department of Economics & Statistics, Kerala 	18 	
 
Table 6 – Area under selected seasonal crops  (Area in Acres)  	
Sl 
No  Districts  Paddy 
Tapioca Peas (Pulses)  Ginger 	Before 
SC 
work  After 
SC 
work  % 
increase  Before 
SC 
work  After 
SC 
work  % 
increase  Before 
SC 
work  After 
SC 
work  % 
increase  Before 
SC 
work  After 
SC 
work  % 
increase 	
1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12  13  14 
1  Thiruvananthapuram 	
 	 	 	3.42  4.91  43.57 	 	 	 	0.07  0.15  114.29 	
2  Kollam 	
 	 	 	0.57  0.57  0.00 	 	 	 	0.02  0.02  0.00 	
3  Pathanamthitta 	
 	 	 	0.02  0.02  0.00 	 	 	 	
     	
4  Alappuzha 	
 	 	 	0.69  0.81  17.39  0.05  0.05  0.00  0.02  0.03  50.00 	
5  Kottayam 	
 	 	 	0.20  0.27  35.00 	 	 	 	     	
6  Idukki 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
     	
7  Ernakulam  	3.10  3.10  0.00  1.46  1.5  2.74  0.17  0.18  5.88  0.15  0.15  0.00 	
8  Thrissur 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
     	
9  Palakkad 	
 	 	 	0.40  0.47  17.50  0.05  0.05  0.00  0.25  0.25  0.00 	
10  Malappuram 	
 	 	 	2.20  0.30  -86.36 	 	 	 	
     	
11  Kozhikkode 	
 	 	 	5.57  13.96  150.63 	 	 	 	0.20  0.49  145.00 	
12  Kannur 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
     	
13  Kasaragod 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
     	
Total 	3.10  3.10  0.00  14.53  22.81  56.99  0.27  0.28  3.70  0.71  1.09  53.52

Evaluation Study on Soil Conservation 2013-14 	
Department of Economics & Statistics, Kerala 	19 	
 
 
Table – 6 Contd...   	
Sl. 
No  Districts  Plantain 
Banana Vegetables  Pineapple  Chena 	
Before 
SC 
work  After 
SC 
work  % 
increase  Before 
SC 
work  After 
SC 
work  % 
increase  Before 
SC 
work  After 
SC 
work  % 
increase  Before 
SC 
work  After 
SC 
work  % 
increase  Before 
SC 
work  After 
SC 
work  % 
increase 	
1  2  15  16  17  18  19  20  21  22  23  24  25  26  27  28  29 
1  Thiruvananthapuram 	3.73  5.08  36.19 	 	 	 	0  0.13 	 	0.20  0.20  0.00       	
2  Kollam 	0.58  0.56  -3.45  0.08  0.07  -12.50 	 	 	 	 	 	 	0.09  0.09  0.00 	
3  Pathanamthitta 	0.15  0.2  33.33  0.05  0.06  20.00 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	
     	
4  Alappuzha 	0.47  0.54  14.89  0.12  0.13  8.33  0.05  0.05  0.00  0.01  0.01  0.00  0.07  0.08  14.29 	
5  Kottayam 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
     	
6  Idukki 	0.29  0.67  131.03  0.28  0.59  110.71 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	
     	
7  Ernakulam 	3.19  3.36  5.33  0.04  0.04  0.00  0.07  0.07  0.00 	 	 	 	
     	
8  Thrissur 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
     	
9  Palakkad 	1.31  2.53  93.13  0.03  0.05  66.67 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
     	
10  Malappuram 	0.48  2.26  370.83 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
     	
11  Kozhikode 	0.23  1.51  556.52  0.91  4.33  375.82  0.01  0.5  4900.00 	 	 	 	
     	
12  Kannur 	0.95  1.05  10.53  0.47  0.47  0.00 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
     	
13  Kasaragod 	0  1.42 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
     	
Total  	11.38  19.18	 	68.54  1.98  5.74  189.90  0.13  0.75  476.92  0.21  0.21  0.00  0.16  0.17  6.25

Evaluation Study on Soil Conservation 2013-14 	
Department of Economics & Statistics, Kerala 	20 	
 
                                                                                              Table – 6 Contd...  
Sl. 
No  Districts  Colocasia 
Turmeric  Others Total 	Before 
SC work  After 
SC 
work  % 
increase  Before 
SC work  After 
SC work  % 
increase  Before 
SC 
work  After 
SC 
work  % 
increase  Before 
SC 
work  After 
SC 
work  % 
increase 	
1  2  30  31  32  33  34  35  36  37  38  39  40  41 
1  Thiruvananthapuram 	0.07  0.11  57.14 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	
7.49 	10.58 	41.26 	
2  Kollam 	0.16  0.16  0.00 	
 	 	 	
0.01  0.01  0.00 	1.51	 	1.48 	-1.99	 	
3  Pathanamthitta 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
0.22 	0.28 	27.27 	
4  Alappuzha 	0.24  0.24  0.00 	
 	 	 	
0.25  0.26  4.00 	1.97 	2.20 	11.68 	
5  Kottayam 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
0.20 	0.27 	35.00 	
6  Idukki 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
0.57 	1.26 	121.05 	
7  Ernakulam 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
8.18 	8.40 	2.69 	
8  Thrissur 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
0.00 	0.00 	 	
9  Palakkad 	
 	 	 	
0.04  0.04  0.00  0  0.30 	
 	
2.08 	3.69 	77.40 	
10  Malappuram 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
2.68 	2.56 	-4.48 	
11  Kozhi kode 	
 	 	 	 	
0.05 	
 	 	 	 	
6.92 	20.84 	201.16 	
12  Kannur 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1.42 	1.52 	7.04 	
13  Kasaragod 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
0.00 	1.42 	0.00 	
Total 	0.47  0.51  8.51  0.04  0.09  125.00  0.26  0.57  119.23  33.24  54.50  63.96

Evaluation Study on Soil Conservation 2013-14 	
Department of Economics & Statistics, Kerala 	21 	
 
Impact of Soil Conservation Treatment on the Yield of Crops 
 For studying the  impact of soil conservation treatment on the  yield of crops, a detailed 
survey  was  conducted  following  the  “Before ”  and  “After ”  method.    Details  regarding  the 
yield and value of crops are collected from the beneficiaries in the scheme area.  District wise 
details  are  presented  in  table  No.  7  and  8  Survey  results  reveals  that  in  most  cases,  the  crop 
yields after the  implementation of the programme were higher than that of before.  Therefore, 
the  total  output  from  crops  represented  a  big  increase.    As  much  as  major  portion  of  this 
output  came  from  perennial  crops  indicating  improved  stability  in  output.    Almost  all 
perennial crops have also shown a marked improvement.               
  In  Malappuram district Gross cropped area  is  more  increased.      In  this  district  ,total 
cropped  area  before  Soil  conservation  works  was  121.05acres.    It  increased  to  139.61  acres 
after  the  implementation  of  Soilconservation  measures.    The  increase  in  area  is  accounted  as 
18.56 acres.  The  percentage  of increase  recorded as 15.33%.  When we  analyze the    yield of 
perennial  crops  in  Kasaragod    district,  it  can  be  seen  that  production  of  Rubber,  Pepper, 
Arecanut,  Cashew  and  Coconut  are  increased.    In  the  case  of  Seasonal  crops,  in 
Thiruvananthapuram  district  it  can  be  seen  that  the  yield  of  tapioca,  plantain,  colocasia, 
banana etc. are increased. 
    In  Malappuram,Thrissur,Kozhikkode  and  Kasaragod  districts,  before  soil 
conservation  work  the  area  were  121.05,103.91,132.07and172.58  acres  respectively.    It  is 
increased  to  139.61,112.19,139.27and179.07acres  respectively  after  the  implementation  of 
soil  conservation  work.    Increase  in  area  accounted  as18.56,8.28,7.20and6.49acres 
respectively.     
  Production  impact  is  also  commendable.    Production  of  all  perennial  crops  are 
increased after soil conservation works. 
The  area  details  of  seasonal  crops  of  all  districts  shows  that  Plantain  area  increased  
after  soil  conservationworks  except  Kollam  and  in  the  case  of  tapioca  the  area  as  well  as 
production increased except Malappuram districts. 
.

Evaluation Study on Soil Conservation 2013-14 	
Department of Economics & Statistics, Kerala 	22 
Table 7 
Crop wise yield and Value of Perennial crops in scheme area. 	
District  Name  of Crop  Unit 	
Before SC work	 	After SC work	 	 	
Quantity  Value  Quantity  Value  Value at 
constant 
price   % 
Change 
over 
quantity	
 	
1  2 3 4  5  6  7  8 9 	
Thiruvananthapuram 
  
  
   Coconut 
Nos. 
22885.00	
 	111019	 	25407.00	 	152442	 	137310	 	11.02	 	
Arecanut  Nos. 
16950.00	 	9658	 	18210.00	 	14568	 	13560	 	7.43 	
Pepper(Garbled)	 	Quintal	 	1.07	 	13461	 	1.24	 	42586	 	36748	 	15.89 	
Rubber  Quintal	 	217.90	 	2064383	 	230.15	 	3619574	 	3426918	 	5.62 	
Total	 	 	 	2198521	 	 	3829170	 	3614536	 	 	
Kollam 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   Coconut  Nos.  24021.00	
 	136936	 	31070.00	 	266276	 	205865	 	29.35 	
Arecanut  Nos.  6455.00	 	3552	 	8170.00	 	6863	 	5422	 	26.57 	
Pepper(Garbled)	 	Quintal	 	0.98	 	13344	 	1.29	 	46443	 	35282	 	31.63 	
Cashew  Quintal	 	1.44	 	3744	 	2.38	 	14083	 	8521	 	65.28 	
Rubber  Quintal	 	545.86	 	5286666	 	720.27	 	11501997	 	8716842	 	31.95 	
Jack 
Quintal	 	156.97	 	49137	 	222.54	 	209857	 	148024	 	41.77 	
Mango  Quintal	 	12.96	 	8644	 	19.12	 	36328	 	24624	 	47.53 	
Total     5502023	 	  12081847	 	9144580	 	 	
Pathanamthitta 
  
  
  
   Coconut  Nos.  2764.00	
 	16584	 	5393.00	 	40179	 	20592	 	95.12 	
Arecanut  Nos.  520.00	 	290	 	1505.00	 	1056	 	365	 	189.42 	
Pepper(Garbled)	 	Quintal	 	14.65	 	190950	 	38.21	 	1398145	 	536059	 	160.82 	
Rubber  Quintal	 	131.64	 	1303236	 	223.76	 	3509679	 	2064775	 	69.98 	
Total 
    1511060	 	  4949059	 	2621791	 	 	
Alappuzha 
  
  
  
  
   Coconut  Nos.  19198.00	
 	102715	 	21421.00	 	143305	 	128433	 	11.58 	
Arecanut  Nos.  17546.00	 	8775	 	19900.00	 	14927	 	13161	 	13.42 	
Rubber  Quintal	 	561.85	 	5056650	 	588.24	 	10544216	 	10071175	 	4.70 	
Mango  Quintal	 	22.35	 	38799	 	27.84	 	48721	 	39113	 	24.56 	
Total 
    5206939	 	  10751169	 	10251882	 	 	
Kottayam 
 
 
 
 
  Coconut  Nos.  53081.00	
 	305745	 	66593.00	 	476158	 	379544	 	25.46 	
Arecnut  Nos.  62425.00	 	32461	 	77825.00	 	81720	 	65549	 	24.67	 	
Pepper(Garbled)	 	Quintal	 	18.92	 	246113	 	22.33	 	828550	 	702023	 	18.02 	
Rubber  Quintal	 	929.70	 	9148248	 	1083.10	 	17241878	 	14799902	 	16.50 	
Coffee  Quintal	 	11.39	 	82737	 	13.55	 	97757	 	82174	 	18.96 	
Cocoa  Quintal	 	23.15	 	14609	 	30.60	 	89054	 	67373	 	32.18 	
Total 
    9829913	 	  18815117	 	16096565

Evaluation Study on Soil Conservation 2013-14 	
Department of Economics & Statistics, Kerala 	23 
 
 
(Table 7 Contd...) 	
1  2 3 4  5  6  7 8 9 	
Idukki 
 
 
 
 
 
  Coconut  Nos.  1840.00	
 	10375	 	5845.50	 	42905	 	13505	 	217.69	 	
Pepper(Garbled)	 	Quintal	 	9.83	 	129429	 	27.82	 	1019614	 	360273	 	183.01	 	
Rubber  Quintal	 	65.00	 	643110	 	114.55	 	1843148	 	1045872	 	76.23	 	
Coffee  Quintal	 	12.95	 	100026	 	33.91	 	233619	 	89218	 	161.85	 	
Cocoa  Quintal	 	1.98	 	3564	 	5.06	 	15332	 	5999	 	155.56	 	
Total 
    886504	 	 3154618	 	1514867	 	 	
Eranakulam 
  
  
   Coconut  Nos.  109321.00	
 	603450	 	122420.00	 	899806	 	803526	 	11.98	 	
Arecnut  Nos.  382235.00	 	198762	 	421835.00	 	337468	 	305788	 	10.36	 	
Pepper(Garbled)	 	Quintal	 	17.52	 	227829	 	19.72	 	709584	 	630421	 	12.56	 	
Cashew  Quintal	 	0.11	 	318	 	0.14	 	588	 	462	 	27.27	 	
Rubber  Quintal	 	883.51	 	8685786	 	967.90	 	15652152	 	14287460	 	9.55	 	
Coffee  Quintal	 	10.57	 	50736	 	3.47	 	23659	 	72068	 	-67.17	 	
Cocoa  Quintal	 	5.62	 	8992	 	6.20	 	15383	 	13944	 	10.32	 	
Nutmeg  Quintal	 	31.71	 	7696	 	32.32	 	10013	 	9824	 	1.92	 	
Total 
    9783569	 	  17648653	 	16123493	 	 	
Thrissur Coconut  Nos.  493130.00	
 	2214156	 	777668.00	 	4020549	 	2549486	 	57.70	 	
Arecnut  Nos.  280.00	 	160	 	600.00	 	564	 	263	 	114.29	 	
Total 
    2214316	 	 4021113	 	2549749	 	 	
Palakkad 
  
  
   Coconut  Nos.  200382.00	
 	781496	 	220222.00	 	1193603	 	1086070	 	9.90	 	
Arecnut  Nos.  246320.00	 	105918	 	263600.00	 	197700	 	184740	 	7.02	 	
Pepper(Garbled)	 	Quintal	 	6.55	 	84808	 	7.33	 	262424	 	234499	 	11.91	 	
Cashew  Quintal	 	0.18	 	594	 	0.20	 	1096	 	986	 	11.11	 	
Rubber  Quintal	 	73.90	 	724590	 	79.50	 	1249543	 	1161525	 	7.58	 	
Jack 
Quintal	 	48.10	 	13950	 	52.40	 	56529	 	51890	 	8.94	 	
Mango Quintal	 	126.45	 	111658	 	138.85	 	275133	 	250562	 	9.81	 	
Total  
  1823014	 	  3236028	 	2970272

Evaluation Study on Soil Conservation 2013-14 	
Department of Economics & Statistics, Kerala 	24 
 
(Table 7 Contd...) 
 	
1  2 3 4  5 6  7 8 9 	
Malappuram 
  
  
  
  
  
  Coconut  Nos.  365270.00	
 	1428222	 	449786.00	 	1979059	 	1607188	 	23.14	 	
Arecnut  Nos.  76630.00	 	32952	 	127130.00	 	88991	 	53641	 	65.90	 	
Pepper(Garbled)	 	Quintal	 	4.60	 	58728	 	1.48	 	53104	 	165053	 	-67.83	 	
Cashew  Quintal	 	73.81	 	240549	 	10.09	 	54607	 	399459	 	-86.33	 	
Rubber  Quintal	 	216.40	 	2118772	 	253.05	 	4039289	 	3454267	 	16.94	 	
Total 
    3879223	 	 6215050	 	5679608	 	 	
Kozhikkode 
  
  
  
  
  
  Coconut  Nos.  196435.00	
 	748425	 	253320.00	 	1200736	 	931101	 	28.96	 	
Arecnut  Nos.  2279590.00	 	980224	 	671600.00	 	449972	 	1527325	 	-70.54	 	
Pepper(Garbled)	 	Quintal	 	10.96	 	138864	 	9.50	 	335132	 	386636	 	-13.32	 	
Cashew  Quintal	 	0.99	 	3313	 	2.45	 	13425	 	5425	 	147.47	 	
Rubber  Quintal	 	0.00	 	0 	12.80	 	198426	 	0 	 	
Coffee  Quintal	 	0.00	 	0 	3.40	 	23482	 	0 	 	
Cocoa  Quintal	 	0.00	 	0 	6.44	 	16604	 	0 	 	
Nutmeg  Quintal	 	0.00	 	0 	665.00	 	216163	 	0 	 	
Total 
    1870826	 	 2453940	 	2850487	 	 	
 
 
 
 
Kannur 
  
  
  
  
  	
Coconut  Nos. 
117490.00	 	442946	 	161450.00	 	829852	 	603898	 	37.42	 	
Arecanut  Nos. 
1012900.00	 	496321	 	1119500.00	 	839625	 	759675	 	10.52	 	
Pepper(Garbled)	 	Quintal	 	2.00	 	25688	 	2.80	 	100101	 	71501	 	40.00	 	
Cashew  Quintal	 	145.00	 	524900	 	121.90	 	713606	 	848834	 	-15.93	 	
Rubber Quintal	 	349.40	 	3383588	 	479.60	 	7439555	 	5419893	 	37.26	 	
Total  
  4873443	 	 9922739	 	7703801	 	 	
Kasaragod 
  
  
  
  Coconut 
Nos. 
124475.00	
 	547690	 	146825.00	 	694485	 	588769	 	17.96	 	
Arecnut  Nos. 
1643200.00	 	1002352	 	1951500.00	 	2497920	 	2103296	 	18.76	 	
Pepper(Garbled)	 	Quintal	 	67.50	 	840850	 	127.30	 	4575671	 	2426220	 	88.59	 	
Cashew  Quintal	 	192.00	 	701952	 	231.50	 	1192259	 	988828	 	20.57	 	
Rubber
  Quinta
 
900.50	 	9950525	 	1062.50	 	16992563	 	14401697	 	17.99	 	
  Total  	 	13043369	 	 
25952898	 	20508810

Evaluation Study on Soil Conservation 2013-14 	
Department of Economics & Statistics, Kerala 	25 	
(Table 7 Contd..                     
 
 	
STATE	 	Name  of Crop  Unit  Before SC work  After SC work 
Value at 
constant 
price 	
% 
Change 
over 
quantity	
 	
Quantity  Value  Quantity  Value 	
1  2 
3 4  5  6  7  8  9 
KERALA 	
Coconut  Nos.  1730292.00	 	7449759  2287420.50	 	11939355  9055287 
32.20 	
Arecanut  Nos.  5745051.00	 	2871425  4681375.00	 	4531374  5032785 
-18.51 	
Pepper(Garbled)	 	Quintal	 	154.58  1970064  259.02  9371354  5584715  67.56 	
Cashew  Quintal	 	413.53  1475370  368.66  1989664  2252515 -10.85 	
Rubber  Quintal	 	4875.66  48365554	 	5815.42  93832020  78850326 
19.27 	
Jack Quintal	 	205.07  63087  274.94  266386  199914  34.07 	
Mango  Quintal	 	161.76  159101  185.81  360182  314299 
14.87 	
Coffee  Quintal	 	34.91  233499  54.33  378517  243460 55.63 	
Cocoa  Quintal	 	30.75  27165  48.30  136373  87316 57.07 	
Nutmeg  Quintal	 	31.71  7696  697.32  226176  9824 
2099.05	 	
Total     62622720	 	 123031401	 	101630441

Evaluation Study on Soil Conservation 2013-14 	
Department of Economics & Statistics, Kerala 	26 	
 Table – 8 – Crop wise yield and Value of Seasonal crops in scheme area.  	
District  Name  of Crop	 	Unit Before SC work 
After SC work % 
Change 
over 
quantity	
 	Quantity	 	Value  Quantity	 	Value  Value at 
constant  price  	
1  2 3  4  5  6  7 8  	
Thiruvananthapuram 
 
  Tapioca  Quintal	
 	668.80	 	337073	 	1015.22	 	879182	 	579182	 	51.80 	
Peas(pulses)	 	Quintal	 	0.30	 	417	 	0.50	 	1705	 	1023	 	66.67 	
Ginger  Quintal	 	14.64	 	33439	 	18.97	 	78593	 	60654	 	29.58 	
Plantain  Quintal	 	187.54	 	151163	 	279.85	 	436564	 	292561	 	49.22 	
Banana  Quintal	 	5.00	 	7730	 	6.50	 	20722	 	15940	 	30.00 	
Pineapple  Quintal	 	9.50	 	12976	 	10.65	 	16509	 	14726	 	12.11 	
Colocasia  Quintal	 	8.85	 	12966	 	12.90	 	59483	 	40808	 	45.76 	
Total      555764	 	  1492758	 	1004894	 	 	
Kollam 
  
  
  
  
   Tapioca  Quintal	
 	35.07	 	15993	 	48.23	 	45001	 	32722	 	37.52 	
Ginger  Quintal	 	0.21	 	499	 	0.36	 	2033	 	1186	 	71.43 	
Plantain  Quintal	 	21.91	 	18520	 	22.59	 	37770	 	36633	 	3.10 	
Banana  Quintal	 	2.85	 	4703	 	2.70	 	8983	 	9482	 	-5.26 	
Colocasia  Quintal	 	2.69	 	4015	 	3.64	 	16678	 	12325	 	35.32 	
Total	 	 	 	43730	 	 	110465	 	92348	 	 	
Pathanamthitta  Tapioca  Quintal	 	0.30	 	178	 	0.35	 	398	 	341	 	16.67 	
  
  
  
Plantain  Quintal	
 	4.36	 	3067	 	12.47	 	14877	 	5202	 	186.01 	
Banana  Quintal	 	1.42	 	2316	 	3.23	 	10485	 	4610	 	127.46 	
Total      5561	 	  25760	 	10153	 	 	
Alappuzha 
 
  Tapioca  Quintal	
 	66.87	 	35442	 	80.83	 	75254	 	62257	 	20.88 	
Ginger  Quintal	 	0.75	 	1751	 	0.90	 	3967	 	3306	 	20.00 	
Plantain  Quintal	 	27.61	 	19494	 	33.00	 	41152	 	34431	 	19.52 	
Banana  Quintal	 	6.79	 	11775	 	7.24	 	26665	 	25008	 	6.63 	
Chena  Quintal	 	7.45	 	10915	 	8.78	 	18394	 	15608	 	17.85 	
Yam  Quintal	 	4.65	 	4055	 	4.90	 	7350	 	6975	 	5.38 	
Kolacasia  Quintal	 	12.56	 	18301	 	13.97	 	65199	 	58618	 	11.23 	
Total      101733	 	  237981	 	206203	 	 	
Kottayam 
   Tapioca  Quintal	 	11.00	 	5676	 	13.75	 	14021	 	11217	 	25.00 	
Total      5676	 	  14021	 	11217

Evaluation Study on Soil Conservation 2013-14 	
Department of Economics & Statistics, Kerala 	27 	
Table – 8 Contd...	 	 	
Idukki   
   Plantain  Quintal	
 	8.00	 	5312	 	21.50	 	43495	 	16184	 	168.75 	
Banana  Quintal	 	6.85	 	9946	 	19.40	 	50533	 	17843	 	183.21 	
Total      15258	 	  94028	 	34027	 	 	
Eranakulam 
 
 
  Paddy  Quintal	
 	53.15	 	40927	 	56.40	 	76240	 	71847	 	6.11 	
Tapioca  Quintal	 	150.85	 	76784	 	168.35	 	143099	 	128224	 	11.60 	
Peas(pulses)	 	Quintal	 	8.30	 	16642	 	10.15	 	33261	 	27199	 	22.29	 	
Ginger  Quintal	 	1.60	 	3066	 	1.90	 	9836	 	8283	 	18.75 	
Plantain  Quintal	 	282.62	 	199812	 	334.71	 	433617	 	366134	 	18.43 	
Banana  Quintal	 	0.32	 	475	 	0.38	 	1105	 	931	 	18.75 	
Total      337706	 	  697158	 	602618	 	 	
Palakkad 
Tapioca  Quintal	
 	18.58	 	7989	 	23.85	 	20750	 	16165	 	28.36 	
Ginger  Quintal	 	11.50	 	15330	 	15.40	 	39279	 	29332	 	33.91 	
Plantain  Quintal	 	109.77	 	67510	 	205.96	 	296751	 	158159	 	87.63 	
Banana  Quintal	 	14.60	 	18265	 	21.10	 	54237	 	37529	 	44.52 	
Pineapple  Quintal	 	1.20	 	1046	 	1.40	 	2196	 	1882	 	16.67 	
Turmeric  Quintal	 	2.70	 	11408	 	6.50	 	8616	 	3579	 	140.74 	
Total      121548	 	  421829	 	246646	 	 	
Malappuram 
Paddy  Quintal	
 	10.50	 	8327	 	13.50	 	19575	 	15225	 	28.57 	
Tapioca  Quintal	 	0.90	 	421	 	0.00	 	0 	653	 	-	
100.00	 	
Plantain  Quintal	 	9.37	 	6598	 	12.44	 	19819	 	14928	 	32.76 	
Total      15346	 	  39394	 	30806	 	 	
Kozhikkode Tapioca  Quintal	
 	215.07	 	114638	 	689.43	 	740388	 	230967	 	220.56 	
Ginger  Quintal	 	2.25	 	4373	 	16.15	 	38067	 	5303	 	617.78 	
Plantain  Quintal	 	8.33	 	6630	 	32.50	 	49250	 	12623	 	290.16 	
Banana  Quintal	 	42.20	 	61662	 	314.85	 	900160	 	120650	 	646.09 	
Total      187303	 	  1727865	 	369543	 	 	
Kannur 
Plantain  Quintal	
 	51.40	 	43999	 	63.45	 	86420	 	70008	 	23.44 	
Banana  Quintal	 	36.50	 	52414	 	41.20	 	115030	 	101908	 	12.88 	
Total      96413	 	  201450	 	171916	 	 	
Kasaragod 
Plantain  Quintal	
 	0.00	 	0 	204.50	 	397957	 	0 	 	
Total     
0	 	  397957	 	0

Evaluation Study on Soil Conservation 2013-14 	
Department of Economics & Statistics, Kerala 	28 
                                                                                          
 
 
Table – 8 Contd.. 
STATE  Name of 
Crop  Unit Before SC work  After SC work   
 	
Quantity	 	Value  Quantity	 	Value Value at 
constant 
price   % 
Change  over 
quantity	
 	
1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
KERALA 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Paddy  Quintal	
 	63.65  49254  69.90  95815  87072 
9.82 	
Tapioca  Quintal	 	1167.44	 	594194  2040.01	 	1918093	 	1061728	 	74.74 	
Peas(pulses)	 	Quintal	 	8.60  17059  10.65  34966  28222 23.84 	
Ginger  Quintal	 	30.95  58458  53.68  171775  108064  73.44 	
Plantain  Quintal	 	710.91  522105  1222.97	 	1857672	 	1006863	 	72.03 	
Banana  Quintal	 	116.53  169286  416.60  1187920	 	333901 
257.50 	
Pineapple  Quintal	 	10.70  14022  12.05  18705  16608  12.62 	
Chenai  Quintal	 	7.45  10915  8.78  18394  15608 17.85 	
Yam  Quintal	 	4.65  4055  4.90  7350  6975  5.38 	
Colacasia  Quintal	 	24.10  35282  30.51  141360  111751 26.60 	
Turmeric  Quintal	 	2.70  11408  6.50  8616  3579 140.74 	
Total      1486038	 	  5460666	 	2780371

Evaluation Study on Soil Conservation 2013-14 	
Department of Economics & Statistics, Kerala 	29 	
Table 9 
Quantity and Value of Selected perennial and seasonal crops for the years 2013-14 	
 	
  Name of Crops  Units  Before SC Work  After SC Work 
Value at 
constant Price  % 
Change  over 
quantity 	
Quantity  Values 
(Rs)  Quantity  Value 
(Rs) 	
1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 
A. Perennial Crops 	
Coconut  Nos.  1730292.00	 	7449759	 	2287420.50	 	11939355	 	9055287	 	32.20 	
Arecnut  Nos.  5745051.00	 	2871425	 	4681375.00	 	4531374	 	5032785	 	-18.51 	
Pepper(Garbled)	 	Quintal	 	154.58	 	1970064	 	259.02	 	9371354	 	5584715	 	67.56 	
Cashew  Quintal	 	413.53	 	1475370	 	368.66	 	1989664	 	2252515	 	-10.85 	
Rubber  Quintal	 	4875.66	 	48365554	 	5815.42	 	93832020	 	78850326	 	19.27 	
Jack Quintal	 	205.07	 	63087	 	274.94	 	266386	 	199914	 	34.07 	
Mango  Quintal	 	161.76	 	159101	 	185.81	 	360182	 	314299	 	14.87 	
Coffee  Quintal	 	34.91	 	233499	 	54.33	 	378517	 	243460	 	55.63 	
Cocoa  Quintal	 	30.75	 	27165	 	48.30	 	136373	 	87316	 	57.07 	
Nutmeg  Quintal	 	31.71	 	7696	 	697.32	 	226176	 	9824	 2099.05 	
Total       62622720	 	  123031401	 	101630441.00	 	 	
B. Seasonal Crops 	
Paddy  Quintal	 	63.65	 	49254	 	69.90	 	95815	 	87072	 	9.82 	
Tapioca  Quintal	 	1167.44	 	594194	 	2040.01	 	1918093	 	1061728	 	74.74	 	
Peas(pulses)  Quintal	 	8.60	 	17059	 	10.65	 	34966	 	28222	 	23.84 	
Ginger  Quintal	 	30.95	 	58458	 	53.68	 	171775	 	108064	 	73.44 	
Plantain  Quintal	 	710.91	 	522105	 	1222.97	 	1857672	 	1006863	 	72.03 	
Banana  Quintal	 	116.53	 	169286	 	416.60	 	1187920	 	333901	 	257.50 	
Pineapple  Quintal	 	10.70	 	14022	 	12.05	 	18705	 	16608	 	12.62 	
Chena  Quintal	 	7.45	 	10915	 	8.78	 	18394	 	15608	 	17.85 	
Yam  Quintal	 	4.65	 	4055	 	4.90	 	7350	 	6975	 	5.38 	
Kolacasia  Quintal	 	24.10	 	35282	 	30.51	 	141360	 	111751	 	26.60	 	
Turmeric  Quintal	 	2.70	 	11408	 	6.50	 	8616	 	3579	 	140.74 	
Total       1486038	 	  5460666	 	2780371.00	 	 	
All Crops 
(A+B) 	    64108758	 	  128492067	 	104410812.00

Evaluation Study on Soil Conservation 2013-14 	
Department of Economics & Statistics, Kerala 	30 	
 
2.2. Cost Benefit Analysis of the Soil Conservation Programmes 
 An  important  objective  of  a  project  evaluation  is  to  estimate  various  impacts  of  its 
operation  such  as  income,  employment,  demographic  change,  regional  development  and  so  
on.    Hence  an  analysis  to  appraise  the  performance  of  operating  investment  projects  is 
essential  for  improved  planning  process.    Degradation  of  land  due  to  soil  erosion  leads  to  
destruction  of  agricultural  land.    If  it  continues  over  a  period,  the  entire  soil  will  be  lost  and 
the  land  will  become  barren  and  unproductive.    In  the  case  of  sloppy  regions,  soil  erosion 
depletes the fertility of the soil and production and degradation of the area under agriculture is 
to be assessed in terms of production and protection benefits accrued from these areas.  These 
benefits  are to be compared further  with the  investments  to arrive  at  benefit cost ratio, which 
gives an indication of viability of the programme implemented. 
Productive  benefits  are  the  direct  returns  from  the  programmes  implemented.    In 
regular  agricultural  lands,  increase  in  the  yield  provides  the  productive  benefits.    In  addition, 
production  from degraded  land,  which  are  cultivated  after  the  soil  conservation  measures  are 
also taken into consideration. 
Protective  benefits  are  the  intangible  benefits  derived  from  implementation  of  soil 
conservation  programme.   These  benefits  are  more  stable  and provide  base  for  the  continued 
prosperity  in  the  area.    In  the  case  of  agricultural  land,  protective  benefits  are  assessed  in 
terms  of  these  increased  values  because  of  the  prevention  of  further  soil  erosion  and  its 
increased productive potentialities. 
In  the  light  of  the  present  stud y  an  attempt  is  made  for  cost  benefit  analysis  with  the 
collected  data.    Total  cost  incurred  for  the  soil  conservation  works,  including  maintenance 
work for the 36 schemes is Rs.107364760 
The  total area  under cultivation  after  soil  conservation work was 1507.55 	
 acres.   The 
value  of  crops  before  the  soil  conservation  programme  comes  to  Rs.64108758    The  value  of 
crops  after  the  implementation  of  soil  conservation  programme  has  also  been  calculated  as  
Rs. 128492067/-    It is estimated that the value at constant price as Rs104410812/- .

Evaluation Study on Soil Conservation 2013-14 	
Department of Economics & Statistics, Kerala 	31 	
Several benefits flow from the  soil conservation programme implementation,  three of 
them, which derive special attention are taken up for consideration.   
They are: 
    (i)  Extension of area under cultivation 
(ii)   Increase in productivity 
(iii)  Diversification of cropping pattern 
 
(i) Extension of area under cultivation 
   
  The  study  revealed  that  16.82  acres  of  land  has  been  additionally  brought  under 
cultivation  b y  cultivating  areas  which  were  not  cultivated  before  soil  conservation 
programme.    This  benefit  is  achieved  only  due  to  the  implementation  of  soil  conservation 
programme.	
 	
(ii) Increase in Production 
  Production  also  increased due  to the  implementation  of  soil  conservation  programme.  
In the case of coconut, it is recorded 32.20%, Pepper 67.56%, Rubber 19.27%, Jack 34.07 % 
Mango  14.87%,  Coffee  55.63%,  Cocoa  57.07%.    In  the  case  of  seasonal  crops,  percentage 
increase  in  production  of  Tapioca,  Ginger,  Plantain  Banana  and  Turmeric  are    74.74,  73.44, 
72.03, 257.50 and140.74 respectively. 
 
(iii) Diversification of cropping pattern 
 
  Soil  Conservation  Programmes  increase d  the  soil  capacity  and  which  facilitates  the 
cultivation  of  more  remunerative  crops.    This  advantage  can  be  reaped  in  full,  only  if  the 
conservation  programmes  are  followed  properly,  i.e.  the  dissemination  of  new  techniques  of 
production, adequate provision of  inputs and service  which will promote  the  land to improve 
production. 
 	In  the  scheme  area,  cultivation  of  perennial  crops  has  shown  encouraging 
performance.    The  increase  in  area  of  perennial  crops  is  higher  over  the  area  under  same 
before  soil  conservation  programme  (3.44%).    Growing  of  perennial  crops  will  accelerate 
conservation of soil more affectively.	
 	
Occupational Profile 
 
  The  occupational  profile  of  the  selected  beneficiaries  reveals  that  38.06%  included 
agriculture  job, 40. 00%  are  accounted  as  non-agriculture;  11.35	
%  agricultural  labourers  and

Evaluation Study on Soil Conservation 2013-14 	
Department of Economics & Statistics, Kerala 	32 	
10.59%  are  categorized  as  non-agricultural  labourers.    Details  are  presented  in  Table  No.  14 
and 14 (a). 	
 	
 
Table 10 - Total Income, expenditure and Net Income of Scheme area (Rs) 	
Sl 
No  Name  of District  Income (Rs)  Expenditure 
(Rs)  Net Income (Rs) 	Before 
SC work  After SC 
work  Before 
SC work  After SC 
work  Before 
SC work  After SC 
work 	
1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8 
1 
Thiruvananthapuram	 	2754285	 	5321928	 	974230	 	2119820	 	1780055	 	3202108	 	
2 Kollam  5545753	 	12192312	 	1180780	 	2768334	 	4364973	 	9423978	 	
3 
Pathanamthitta  1516621	 	4974819	 	592458	 	1737159	 	924163	 	3237660	 	
4 Alappuzha  5308672	 	10989150	 	2011385	 	3794642	 	3297287	 	7194508	 	
5 
Kottayam  9835589	 	18829138	 	4058012	 	7700570	 	5777577	 	11128568	 	
6 
Idukki  901762	 	3248646	 	681245	 	1983826	 	220517	 	1264820	 	
7 
Eranakulam  10121275	 	18345811	 	2445640	 	5471692	 	7675635	 	12874119	 	
8 Thrissur  2214316	 	4021113	 	1324000	 	1969700	 	890316	 	2051413	 	
9 
Palakkad  1944562	 	3657857	 	671925	 	1322395	 	1272637	 	2335462	 	
10 
Malappuram  3894569	 	6254444	 	2598905	 	3632565	 	1295664	 	2621879	 	
11 Kozhikkode  2058129	 	4181805	 	1352742	 	3185063	 	705387	 	996742	 	
12 Kannoor  4969856	 	10124189	 	1770180	 	3406895	 	3199676	 	6717294	 	
13 
Kasaragod  13043369	 	26350855	 	1822685	 	4868200	 	11220684	 	21482655	 	
State  64108758	 	128492067	 	21484187	 	43960861	 	42624571	 	84531206	 	
Table 10 (a) - Income, Expenditure and Net Income of Control Plots (Rs) 	
Sl No  Name of District  Income  Expenditure  Net Income 
1 2  3  4 5 
1  Thiruvananthapuram 
821746  346130 	475616	 	
2  Kollam 559317  381834 
177483 
3  Pathanamthitta  1103987  393700 
710287 
4  Alappuzha  139136  61150 
77986 
5  Kottayam  3206698  2833376 	373	322	 	
6  Idukki 
307050  280600 	26450	 	
7  Eranakulam 3267579  1188500 
2079079 
8  Thrissur  589847  446552 
143295 
9  Palakkad  968228  568200 400028 
10  Malappuram 
1095915  768800 327115 
11  Kozhikkode 
627970  409300 218670 
12  Kannur 
1219692  543750 675942 
13  Kasaragod 
5501777  966000 4535777 	
State	 	19408942	 	9187892	 	10221050

Evaluation Study on Soil Conservation 2013-14 	
Department of Economics & Statistics, Kerala 	33 
 
Table 11 – Income per Acre before and after soil conservation programme  (Income in Rs) 	
Sl No  Name  of District  Before SC work 
After SC work 	Area in 
acre    Net 
Income  Net 
Income 
per acre  Area in 
acre  Net 
Income  Net 
Income 
per acre 	
(Rs)  (Rs)  (Rs)  (Rs) 	
1 2  3  4  5  6 	7 	8 	
1  Thiruvananthapuram	 	28.67  1780055  62088  32.47  3202108  98617 	
2  Kollam  53.89  4364973  80998  53.89  9423978  174874 
3  Pathanamthitta  39.96  924163  23127  39.96  3237660  81023 
4  Alappuzha 74.17  3297287  44456  74.86  7194508  96106 
5  Kottayam 152.59  5777577  37863  152.10  11128568  73166 
6  Idukki  74.59  220517  2956  76.93  1264820  16441 
7  Eranakulam  115.31  7675635  66565  115.31  12874119  111648 
8  Thrissur 120.62  890316  7381  120.62  2051413  17007 
9  Palakkad  77.38  1272637  16447  77.80  2335462  30019 
10  Malappuram  153.61  1295664  8435  162.39  2621879  16146 
11  Kozhikkode  166.08  705387  4247  165.66  996742  6017 
12  Kannoor 150.48  3199676  21263  152.18  6717294  44140 
13  Kasaragod 283.38  11220684  39596  283.38  21482655  75809 	
State 1490.73  42624571  28593  1507.55  84531206  56072 	
 
 
Table 11 (a) - Income per acre in the Control Plots 	
Sl No  Name of District  Area in acre  Net Income  (Rs)  Net Income per 
acre 
1  2  3 4  5 
1  Thiruvananthapuram  7.11 475616  66894 
2  Kollam  5.48 177483  32387 
3  Pathanamthitta  18.19 710287  39048 
4  Alappuzha  13.35 77986  5842 
5  Kottayam  44.47 373322  8395 
6  Idukki  21.68 26450  1220 
7  Eranakulam  24.10  2079079  86269 
8  Thrissur 27.32 143295  5245 
9  Palakkad  23.82 400028  16794 
10  Malappuram  33.02 327115  9907 
11  Kozhikkode  25.95 218670  8427 
12  Kannoor  26.13 675942  25868 
13  Kasaragod  68.38  4535777  66332 	
State 339.00  10221050  30151

Evaluation Study on Soil Conservation 2013-14 	
Department of Economics & Statistics, Kerala 	34 
 
 
Chapter III 
 
3.1 General Observations 	
 
    During  the  survey  period  the  staff  of  this  department  has  visited  all  the  beneficiar y 
plots.   
   
The  distribution  of  holdings  of  the  selected  beneficiaries  of  the  soil  conservation 
programmes  reveals  that  59.31%  of  the  beneficiary  holding  belongs  to    less  than  one  acre, 
36.74% have  holding area between one acre to 3 acres.   And above 3 acre were 2.26%, up to 
5 acres were 1.69% respectively.  
   
The  opinion  of  selected  beneficiaries  is  collected.    Out  of  this,  25.52%  of  the 
beneficiaries  reported  that  contour  bunds  effectively  controlled  soil  erosion  while  about 
74.48% rests in the opinion that it moderately controlled soil erosion.   
    About  the  fertility  of  the  soil  13.35%  are  of  the  view  that  the  conservation  measures 
have  improved  the  fertility  of  the  soil  remarkably  while  86.46%  reported  that  the  fertility  o f 
the  soil  has  improved moderately and 0.19% opinioned that  it  has  no effect on the  fertility of 
the soil. 
    Similarly  regarding  the  moisture  retention  11.60%  reported  that  the  scheme  has 
substantially controlled moisture  retention while  88.21% reported that  the  scheme  has caused 
moisture  retention moderately only.  0.19% are  no effect.  Details are  presented in         Table 
No. 12

Evaluation Study on Soil Conservation 2013-14 	
Department of Economics & Statistics, Kerala 	35 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table 12  
Opinion of cultivators about of Effectiveness of bunds, Fertility of the soil and Moisture  retention of scheme area  
 	
Sl 
No  Name  of District 	
Effectiveness of contour 
bunds  Fertility of soil  Moisture retention 
Effectively 
controlled 
Moderately 
controlled 
No effect 
Remarkably 
controlled 
Moderately 
controlled 
No effect 
Substantially 
controlled 
Moderately 
controlled 
No effect 
Total 	
1 	2 	3 	4 	5 	6 	7 	8 	9 	10	 	11	 	12	 	
1 
Thiruvananthapuram	 	29  96  0  5  120  0  1  124  0  125 	
2  Kollam  5  120  0  3  122  0  3  122  0  125 
3  Pathanamthitta  1  124  0  0  125  0  0  125  0  125 
4 
Alappuzha  25  100  0  21  104  0  21  104  0  125 
5  Kottayam  27  98  0  6  118  1  1  122  2  125 
6  Idukki  4  121  0  5  120  0  2  122  1  125 
7  Eranakulam  119  6  0  111  14  0  111  14  0  125 
8  Thrissur 1  124  0  1  124  0  0  125  0  125 
9 
Palakkad  75  50  0  43  82  0  36  89  0  125 
10 
Malappuram  64  61  0  1  122  2  0  125  0  125 
11  Kozhikkode  19  106  0  0  125  0  2  123  0  125 
12  Kannur  19  106  0  8  117  0  5  120  0  125 
13 
Kasaragod  19  76  0  9  86  0  3  92  0  95 	
State 407  1188  0  213  1379  3  185  1407  3  1595

Evaluation Study on Soil Conservation 2013-14 	
Department of Economics & Statistics, Kerala 	36 	
Table 13  
Conditions of Bund  (Scheme Area) 	
Sl 
No  Name of District  Good 
Partially 
Damaged 	
damaged	 	
Seriously  damaged  Total 	
1 
2  3  4 5  6 
1  Thiruvananthapuram 	 	122  3 0 125 	
2  Kollam 	107  17 1 125 	
3  Pathanamthitta 	125  0 0 125 	
4  Alappuzha 	75  48  2 125 	
5  Kottayam 	93  32  0 125 	
6 	Idukki	 	117  8 0 125 	
7  Ernakulam 	98  27  0 125 	
8  Thrissur 	3  121  1 125 	
9  Palakkad 	92  33  0 125 	
10  Malappuram 	87  38  0 125 	
11  Kozhikkode 	121  4 0 125 	
12  Kannur 	121  4 0 125 	
13  Kasaragod 	93  2 0 95 	
State	 	1254  337  4 1595 	
 
Table 14 
Occupational profile  (Scheme Area) 	
Sl 
No  Name of District  Occupation 	
Agriculture 
Non-
agriculture  Agricultural 
Labours  Non-
agriculture 
labourers   Total 	
1 
2  3 4 5  6 7 
1 Thiruvananthapuram  6  25  19  75  125 
2 Kollam 
99  7  7  12  125 
3 Pathanamthitta 
124  1  0 0  125 
4 Alappuzha 
11  96  17  1  125 
5 	Kottayam 39  59  10  17  125 	
6 	Idukki 44  55  6  20  125 	
7 	Eranakulam 42  22  40  21  125 	
8 	Thrissur 13  106  6  0  125 	
9 	Palakkad 46  52  22  5  125 	
10	 	Malappuram 26  98  1  0  125 	
11 Kozhikkode 
64  31  24  6  125 
12 Kannoor 
37  50  27  11  125 
13 Kasaragod 
56  36  2  1  95 	
State	 	607  638  181  169  1595

Evaluation Study on Soil Conservation 2013-14 	
Department of Economics & Statistics, Kerala 	37 
 
Table 14 (a) 
Occupational profile (Control Plots) 	
Sl No  Name of District  Occupation 	Agriculture 
Non-
agriculture  Agriculture 
labourers 	
Non	-	
agriculture labourers  Total 	
1 
2  3  4  5  6  7 
1 
Thiruvananthapuram  4  14  4  3  25 
2 Kollam  20  5  0  0  25 
3 
Pathanamthitta  25  0  0  0  25 
4 
Alappuzha  4  18  3  0  25 
5 
Kottayam  9  10  6  0  25 
6 
Idukki  10  8  4  3  25 
7 
Eranakulam  9  6  10  0  25 
8 
Thrissur  3  22  0  0  25 
9 
Palakkad  16  8  0  1  25 
10 
Malappuram  3  22  0  0  25 
11 
Kozhikkode  9  10  3  3  25 
12 
Kannoor  16  4  5  0  25 
13 
Kasaragod  17  5  3  0  25 	
Total 
145  132  38  10  325 	
 
 
  One  important  finding  of  this  study  is  that  the  concept  of  watershed  management  has 
been well recognized in the scheme area. Watershed management implies the wise use of soil, 
water  and  bio-resources  in  a  watershed  to  obtain  optimum  production  with  minimum 
disturbance  to  the  environment.    Through  this  water  and  soil  can  be  conserved  since  both  of 
them are  interdependent.  The overall objective of watershed programme includes recognition 
of watershed as a basic unit for judicious utilization and development of all lands.  The land is 
to  be  treated  according  to  the  capability  and  requirement  by  adopting  suitable  methods  that 
will  control  soil  erosion,  conserve  water,  improve  farm  income,  control  flood  and  droughts, 
etc. 
   
There are a number of direct and indirect outcome of the project that can be associated  
with the impact of watershed development project.  These include raising rain fed agricultural 
productivity changes in land use pattern, etc.

Evaluation Study on Soil Conservation 2013-14 	
Department of Economics & Statistics, Kerala 	38 	
 
Conditions of Bund 
   While  examining  the  condition  of  bund  the  study  revealed  that  78.62%  are  in 
good condition 21.13% are partially damaged and 0.25% is seriously  damaged.  District  wise 
statement is given in Table No. 13. 
         
Summary of Findings 
    The  data  furnished in  this report are  collected through the  Evaluation study on 
soil  conservation  programmes  conducted  during  2013-14.    The  entire  districts  except 
Wayanad  were  covered  in  this  stud y.    In  Wayanad  the  study  is  directly  done  b y  the  Central 
Government.    The  methodology  of  this  study  was  stratified  sampling  method on  the  basis  o f 
the area of the holding.  For the study purpose schemes implemented by the Soil Conservation 
Department and other Local Self Government were  included.  For the  purpose of comparison 
control plots are also selected from the scheme area where the soil conservation works are not 
carried  out  under  any  scheme.      In  the  light  of  the  present  stud y,  an  attempt  is  made  for  the 
cost benefit analysis with the collected data.  Several benefits flow from the soil conservation 
programme implementation.  Some of the findings of the study are given below:    For  the  study  purpose  36  schemes  were  selected.    The  total  number  of 
beneficiaries  comes  to 2257.    Out of  this  1595  number of  beneficiaries  were  selected  for  the 
detailed study.   Land use particulars of beneficiary p lots give us certain positive trends while 
comparing  with  the  area  before  and  after  the  soil  conservation  programme.    The  stud y 
revealed  that  16.82  acres  of  land  has  been  additionally  brought  under  cultivation  b y 
cultivating area which was under the fallow land.  There  is  an  increasing  awareness  of  the  importance  of  the  soil  conservation 
programme  especially  watershed  management  programme  among  the  people  in  the  scheme 
area.    Besides  Soil  Conservation  Department,  Local  Self  Government  implementing  various 
programmes  in  this  direction.    WGDP,  RIDF,  TSP  programmes  are  included  under  study.  
Tribal colonies also enjo yed benefits. 
Income and Expenditure 
    The  particulars relating to income  and expenditure  of  beneficiary plots reveals 
that after implementation of SC programme net income of the beneficiaries of the scheme area 
increased  to  98.32%.    It  is  estimated  that  the  percentage  increase  of  net  income  per  acre  in 
beneficiar y plots of the scheme area as 96.10%

Evaluation Study on Soil Conservation 2013-14 	
Department of Economics & Statistics, Kerala 	39 	
 
Analysis  of  data  collected  from  the  beneficiary  and  control  plots  reveals  that  the  net 
income  per acre, received from  the  beneficiary plot is Rs.56072/- and from the  control plot is 
Rs.30151/-      The  district  wise  details  are  presented  in  Table  No.  11  and  11  (a).    The  higher 
rate  of  income  from  the  scheme  area  is  due  to  the  positive  impact  of  soil  conservation 
programme.  Cost  benefit  analysis  of  the  collected  data  reveals  that  100%  of  the  cost  of  soil 
conservation programme has benefited in the year under study.  
Table 15 
                                Cropping Intensity in Scheme area                                ( Area in Acres) 	
Sl.No  District  Net area cultivated 
Total Gross Area 
Cropped   Intensity of Cropping 
(%) 	Before   
SC Work  After 
SC work  Before 
SC work  After 
SC work  Before 
SC work  After 
work 	
1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8 
01  Thiruvananthapuram 	28.67  32.47  33.35	 	38.47 116.32	 	118.48 	
2  Kollam 	53.89  53.89  64.38	 	64.37 119.47	 	119.45 	
3  Pathanamthitta  	39.96  39.96  46.59	 	46.42 116.59	 	116.52 	
4  Alappuzha 	74.17  74.86 
71.05	 	71.18 95.79	 	94.99 	
5  Kottayam 	152.59  152.10  135.96	 	140.11 89.10	 	92.12 	
6  Idukki 	74.59  76.93  69.01	 	72.63 92.52	 	95.06 	
7  Ernakulam 	115.31  115.31 
126.03	 	126.08 109.30	 	109.28 	
7  Thrissur 	120.62  120.62  103.91	 	112.19 86.15	 	93.01 	
8  Palakkad 	77.38  77.80  60.34	 	66.20 77.98	 	85.09 	
9  Malappuram 	153.61  162.39 
121.05	 	139.61 78.80	 	85.97 	
10  Kozhikkode  	166.08  165.66  132.07	 	139.27 79.52	 	83.77 	
12  Kannur 	150.48  152.18  127.86	 	132.15 84.97	 	86.84 	
13  Kasaragod 	283.38  283.38 
172.58	 	179.07 60.90	 	63.19 	
State 	1490.73  1507.55  12	64	.18 
1327.75  84.80  88.07 	
 	
Cropping Intensity 
 
                 	Productivity  of  the  land  to  a  certain  extent  influenced  the  cropping  pattern  of  a 
locality.  Through  this  study,  it  is  seen  that,  the  cropping  intensity  of  the  scheme  is  increased  
from 84.80% to 88.07%.  District wise details are presented in table No.15.