Elaborate the impact of National Watershed Project in increasing agricultural production from water-stressed areas. (UPSC 2019)

National Watershed Project has helped turn water-stressed rainfed areas into more productive farm systems. By conserving soil moisture, recharging groundwater and reducing runoff, it improves the reliability of cultivation where irrigation is scarce.

• Higher cropping intensity: Moisture retention has enabled double and even triple cropping in many treated areas, raising cropping intensity significantly.
• Better yields: Rainfed crops such as millets, pulses and oilseeds have recorded clear yield gains due to timely supplementary moisture and improved soils.
• More resilient farming: Watershed treatment reduces erosion, restores degraded land and expands cultivable area, making farming less risky in drought-prone tracts.
• Livelihood gains: It supports integrated farming, fodder development and allied activities, which raises farm incomes and diversifies production away from water-intensive crops.

Its wider impact lies in shifting water use from mere harvesting to efficient, sustainable productivity. However, long-term gains depend on community maintenance, convergence with irrigation schemes and scientific planning.