A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the degree of Masters of Science

Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1991

The major objective of this research is to determine the effectiveness of the Rapti IRDP's Chiragar Medium Irrigation Project, with regard to field crop production and agricultural employment in its project area. Comparative survey were made of the project area and the surrounding non-project areas. The evaluation was principally a synchronic one. The study reveled that the irrigation project canal has had a positive effect on crop production due to the high irrigation input for irrigation input supply for irrigation- needy crops. However, in modernizing the agricultural system, and increasing crop diversification, generation agricultural employment has been less than expected. In addition, in common with other RDP's the main beneficiaries of the project have been the elites, rather than poor, inhabitants, such as the Tharu caste. Problems outside the project area were primarily due to scarcity of irrigation water. Problems in side the project area, on the other hand were principally because of the unavailability of the credit. Appropriate recommendations are made for alleviating these problems. The study indicates that irrigation plays a major role for the high crop yield rate, and ultimately for the improvement for rural economy. It is also argued that agricultural employment can be increased through extending irrigation facilities in the rural areas . Modernizing the agricultural system using more chemical fertilizer, improved seeds and appropriate agricultural equipment cari help · lead to optimal use and return of the irrigation project, which ultimately increases field crop production also.