Tank Performance and Multiple Uses in Tamil Nadu, South India

Abstract

Irrigation tanks in India are common property resources. Theland and water resources of tanks provide not only forirrigation, but also trees, fishing, domestic water supply,livestock, and a number of minor uses. Using empirical resultsfrom a study of tank performance from 80 tanks in Tamil Nadu,South India, this paper evaluates tank irrigation systemperformance both in terms of irrigation as well as irrigationand other multiple benefits. Ranking of tanks' performancechanges substantially, depending on which measure is used. Theresults indicate that taking other productive uses (excludingdomestic and livestock) into account, raises the total valueof output by approximately 13%, and increases the totalrevenue mobilized from tanks by 213%. Taking all revenue intoaccount tanks are not subsidized by the government, butcurrently fees are not channeled back to support tankoperations and maintenance.