International Research Journal of Education and Technology

Minor irrigation sources are vital for agricultural development and also for providing livelihoods in drought-prone region of Rayalaseema. Minor irrigation schemes support regions outside the command areas of major and medium projects and dominate over these sources. Over time, groundwater irrigation in Rayalaseema has undergone dramatic changes. Generally the provision of water is a state subject. Hence, the development of major and medium irrigation systems is under the state's purview, while individual farmers (private sector) have made significant contributions to minor irrigation systems. Farmers have increasingly utilized groundwater irrigation, especially in rain fed and drought-prone region of Rayalaseema, with the private sector's role growing over recent decades.