Abstract:
In order to know the impact of improved water management practices a study was
conducted at Balipatna block under canal irrigation command to know the economic
feasibility of water management through field channels. Data from 30 farmers practicing
irrigation through field channels and 30 farmers who are irrigating fields without field
channels were collected with help of specially designed questionnaire. In order to know
the impact of field channels, a multiple stepwise regression analysis with dummy
variable to catch impact of field channels was done. The results indicated that irrigation
through field channels had positive impact on the yield of kharif paddy. The variables
like application of fertilizers, irrigation cost, seed and labour cost had significant positive
impact on the paddy yields. The marginal productivity of inputs indicated fertilizers and
seeds are not efficiently utilized compared other inputs. Hence, extension should be under
taken to improve application of fertilizer in a more scientific way and encourage the use
of yielding varieties to improve yields of paddy
