Abstract

Semi-arid regions like Rayalaseema of Andhra Pradesh were adopted by programmes like Integrated Watershed Management Program in order to improve productivity and livelihoods especially marginalized sections such as SC/STs. These are poor, asset less, socially depressed, and economically backward. With this aim, IWMP provided financial assistance to improve their lives by engaging them through farm-based and non-farm based activities under the components of Natural Resources Management, Productivity Support Improvements and Livelihoods for the period 2017-2020. To evaluate their performance and improvement, the study carried out a detailed field-based study with extensive field surveys; in-depth interviews focused group discussions, case studies and also collected secondary data for effective analysis. The results can be seen in the target-based activities of financial assistance and works provided to develop their land and livelihoods. This further led them to move towards sustainable development in all spheres of life especially, their self-esteem and social imagery.

Keywords: Integrated Watershed Management Programme; Asset Less; Natural Resources Management; Productivity Support Improvements; Livelihoods; Rayalaseema Region

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Citation

Citation: PVRM Reddy., et al. “Empowerment of SC/ST Communities Through Watershed Activities in Rayalaseema Region ". Acta Scientific Agriculture 4.9 (2020): 53-59.

Copyright

Copyright: © 2020 PVRM Reddy., et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.