The Indo-German Watershed Development Project Andhra Pradesh (IGWDP-AP) aimed at the community-based rehabilitation of about 30 watersheds in Northern Andhra Pradesh. The project was implemented in two phases:
- Capacity Building Phase (up to 12 months) where local NGOs, user groups, labour groups and watershed development committees were strengthened and developed in order to qualify them for the implementation of watershed-related activities. This was done through training and awareness raising campaigns but foremost through the implementation of 100 ha pilot plots in each watershed. Also a substantial contribution of the people in form of voluntary labour (shramdaan) was expected. Another important component of this initial phase was to prepare a detailed feasibility report for the upcoming implementation phase.
- Full Implementation Phase (up to 4 years): in this phase the full watershed was treated with the more conventional soil and water conservation measures as well as introduction of system of rice intensification, but also issues for landless people were addressed through livelihood support activities, labour groups (exclusively for landless) and animal husbandry. Micro finance initiatives and linkages to banks formed an integral part of this approach.
The objective of the consulting services was to support NABARD, particularly the Programme Support Unit (PSU) of its regional office in Hyderabad, during both phases of IGWDP-AP.
