1. Gender Participation through Watershed Management for Achieving Sustainable Development
Suhas P Wani, Anantha KH and Sreedevi, TK
Resilient Dryland Systems
International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)
The rain-fed areas in the tropics are characterized by low and erratic rainfall, severe land
degradation, low crop yields, and high poverty. Watershed management by adopting community
participatory and integrated approach is recommended and found effective for agricultural growth
and sustainable development in rain-fed areas. Success and sustainability of watershed programs is
directly related to collective action and community participation. Women are key players as
managers and direct actors in managing natural resources in the watershed and addressing the
household food security. In this backdrop, this study seeks to address critical factors essential for
enhancing gender participation through watershed programs using detailed case studies from India,
China and Thailand. The paper demonstrated that through empowerment of women even without
formal education women worked well collectively and managed watersheds efficiently and
successfully. In these watersheds, women involved in income generating activities (IGAs) directly
along with generating employment, knowledge and skill development to other labours and
concentrate on more value added activities.
In north east Thailand and China women do appreciate watershed management in increasing
employment and income, building up social capital through children education etc. Increasing
economic resilience of the poor is largely about enabling women to realize their socioeconomic
potential more fully and improve the quality of their lives. The policy implications suggest that
watershed programmes should look beyond land development activities to address rural livelihoods
to make difference in socio-economic status of women and vulnerable groups. Further,
implementing and coordinating agencies need to take cognizance of resources and policy support to
address gender equity.
Authors’ profile
Dr. Suhas P Wani is Assistant Research Program Director and Principal Scientist (Watersheds),
Resilient Dry land Systems, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics
(ICRISAT), Patancheru, Andhra Pradesh. His area of specialization includes Integrated Watershed
Management, Wasteland Development, Biodiesel Plantation and Integrated Nutrient
Management for productivity enhancement and rural livelihoods He is the member of many
advisory committees of GoI including planning commission and other International agencies.
Dr. Anantha KH is Scientist (Watersheds), Resilient Dry land Systems, International Crops
Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Patancheru, Andhra Pradesh. His area of
interest includes integrated watershed management, economics of dry land agriculture, gender
and rural livelihoods.
Dr. Sreedevi TK worked as Scientist (Watersheds) at Resilient Dry land Systems, International
Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Patancheru, Andhra Pradesh.
Currently, she is serving as Commissioner, Commercial Tax Department, Government of Andhra
Pradesh. Her area of interest includes women empowerment, consortium approach, biodiesel
plantations and rural livelihoods and institutions.