Abstract:
Agriculture is the principal occupation of a majority of the
rural population and is also the perpetual source of employment
and income. In the post-independence period the country was faced
with a serious problem of unemployment and shortage of food. The
food problem has, however, been tackled through concerted
efforts, but unemployment problem is still very serious.
However, irrigation is a critical input which has been
instrumental in sustained growth of agriculture. More recently,
the favourable impact of irrigation on creation of additional
rural employment for agricultural labourers and self-employed
family members of the farmers households is being highlighted.
While irrigation operation and maintenance itself needs labour,
its availability generates 'on-farm' employment through increased
intensive farm activities, and labour intensive cultural
practices like transplantation, sowing of seedlings, application
of fertilizers, pesticides etc. Besides large volume of
transaction of marketable surplus of agricultural and their
processing also increase the off-farm employment opportunities.
Thus, in an abundantly labour surplus rural economy, irrigation
reduces the rigours of unemployment, under employment and
seasonal unemployment by generating employment.
Uttar Pradesh is the most populous state in the country. In
U.P., Meerut Division is most progressive in farming which
compares with Punjab. Keeping In view the contribution of the
progressive farming in the State's economy, Meerut Division was
who inspired me and gave valuable suggestions and helped me at
all stages of the work.
I shall be utterly failing in my moral duty if I do not
express my sincere gratitude to my family members, who helped me
in innumerable ways by showing an attitude of patience and
perseverance at all times, and relieving me of many mundane
distractions, which indeed made my research work less ardous.
I owe beyond accountability to Mrs. C.S.Raghuvanshi for her
affection, enduring patience and excellent support without which
it would not have been possible to complete this task.
Special thanks to Shri S.C.Dass, Shri S.K.Gaur, Shri Anil
Sharma and Shri Abdus Salam for typing the manuscript with speed
and accuracy.
