Impact of an Irrigation Project on Demographic Behaviour of Rural Maharashtra

Dewaram A. Nagdeve, International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS)

The present paper is an attempt to study the effects of an irrigation project on demographic behaviour of rural Maharashtra. The data has been used from IIPS Research Project entitled "Impact of an Irrigation Project on Demographic Behaviour of Rural Maharashtra". The complete enumeration of the populations of two irrigated and two non irrigated villages was conducted. The research is a combination of a matched perspective and case control studies. Anthropological approach was used for collection of extensive information on population change and development. It is revealed from analysis that the irrigation project has change demographic behaviour and health of the population in irrigated area. The paper concludes with some population policy reflections and emphasizes the potential importance of rural development related irrigation project on demographic behaviour in irrigated area. Population Policy aimed to change demographic behaviour should certainly include efforts to co-ordinate development projects with demographic behaviour.