In all five year plans, considerable importance was given to the creation of additional irrigation potential. However, the potential actually utilized was much below. The irrigation potential created over the years in major and medium works was not been fully utilised and the gap between the potential created and the actual utilisation was widening.

This non-utilization occurred mainly because there was a delay in construction of the field channels and drains. Lack of involvement of farmers is also an important constraint.

In 1974-75, the Government of India launched the Command Area Development programme to bridge / narrow the gap between irrigation potential created and actually utilized in major and medium irrigation schemes. This scheme was supposed to develop adequate delivery of the irrigation water up to the fields. A Command Area Development Authority was established to maximize the productivity in the irrigation command areas through an integrated approach with the following components:

• Construction of field channels and field drains 
• Land shaping wherever necessary 
• Introduction of rotational supply of water to ensure equitable and assured distribution to individual farm holdings. But the CAD Programme was not particularly successful because of three constraints: 
• The water supply at the outlet was unreliable 
• The available technology was could not be adopted properly 
• Farmers particularly did not participate in the scheme. This programme was restructured and renamed as Command Area Development and Water Management Programme (CADWMP) since April 1, 2004. The scheme was further restructured and was thrown to states to implement in 2008-09. 
• Currently, Command Area Development Programme has also been amalgamated with the AIBP to reduce the gap between irrigation potential that has been created and that is utilized.

During the post-independence era, a large number of irrigation projects were constructed for increasing the agricultural production in the country. However, during early seventies analysis of irrigation potential created and utilized revealed that there was a substantial gap between them. The Irrigation Commission made specific recommendations in its report in 1972 that systematic development of commands of irrigation projects should be taken up in order to fully utilize the irrigation potential created. Subsequently, a Committee of Ministers set up by the Ministry of Irrigation and Power analyzed the issue and suggested in 1973 that a broad based Area Development Authority should be set up for every major irrigation project to undertake the work of comprehensive area development. Based on this recommendation, the Government of India initiated a Centrally Sponsored Command Area Development Programme (CADP) in December 1974 to improve the irrigation potential utilization and optimize the agricultural production and productivity through integrated and coordinated approach of efficient water management.

The Command Area Development Programme (CAD) was started initially in December 1974 to improve the irrigation potential utilization and optimize the agricultural production and productivity through integrated and coordinated approach of efficient water management.

Who implements the programme?

The Ministry of Water Resources coordinates and monitors the implementation of CADWM at the national level and the Programme is being implemented through the Command Area Development Authorities (CADAs) at the State level.

Initially, 60 major and medium irrigation projects wear taken up under the CAD Programme, covering a Culturable Command Area (CCA) of about 15.00 million hectare.

During the XII Plan, the Scheme is to be implemented pari-passu with Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP).

Main Objectives of CAD

The main objectives covered under the programme are:-

• =>  Bridge the gap between potential created and their utilization through micro-level infrastructure development and efficient farm water management practices.
• => Optimization of agricultural productivity & production, and
• =>Improvement in the socio-economic conditions of farmers.

Main Components of CAD

The Programme includes the following components:-

• a. On-Farm Development (OFD) works i.e. Development of field channels and field drains within the command of each outlet; land leveling; reclamation of waterlogged areas (since April 1996); enforcement of a proper system of Warabandi and fair distribution of water to the fields; realignment of field boundaries wherever necessary (if possible, consolidation of holding); supply of all inputs and services including credit; strengthening of extension services; and, encouraging farmers for participatory irrigation management (PIM).
• b. Selection and introduction of suitable cropping pattern.
• c. Development of groundwater to supplement surface irrigation.
• d. Modernization, maintenance and efficient operation of the irrigation system upto the outlet of one-cusec capacity (irrigation sector).
• e. Correction of System Deficiencies
• f. Desilting of Tanks in CAD Commands for augmenting supplies
• g. Bio-Drainage (selective areas).

CAD Implementation

The Command Area Development Wing of the Ministry of Water Resources coordinates and monitors the implementation of CADWM at the national level. Proposals received from the States for inclusion of new projects under the programme are examined and, if found technoeconomically feasible, are included.

The Progress is measured through physical and financial progress reports of the programme as received from the States; and, the quality of works is ensured through technical guidelines and suggestions provided to the State functionaries from time to time and through various meetings, workshops, seminars, etc.

On-Farm Development

To promote water use efficiency in irrigation, financial assistance can also be availed by the States for development of infrastructure to facilitate use of sprinkler / drip irrigation systems as an alternative to construction of field channels. The assistance under this item will not be admissible for sprinkler and drip irrigation systems but will be limited to construction of stilling tank, pump house and laying conveyance pipes from outlets upto farmers’ fields. The cost norms as applicable for On-Farm Development (OFD) works will also be applicable for such works.

Farmers themselves need to maintain field channels and field drains constructed under the programme in the subsequent years. It is, therefore, essential to involve WUAs in the planning and execution of OFD works, equitable distribution of irrigation water among all the land holders of an outlet command and repair/ maintenance of the distribution network after the same is handed over to them for management. Formation of WUAs is mandatory for implementing CADWM Programme. In formation of WUAs, the Panchayat representative should also be included as member.

Survey, Planning and Design

Topographic survey is meant for proper planning and designing of OFD works so as to ensure their quality. Soil survey is meant for land capability classification so as to understand their capability for crop planning and undertake proper treatment measures to realize their full potential. Proper topographic and soil survey maps of the project should be maintained in CADA records.

Reclamation of Waterlogged Areas

The problem of waterlogging in the Commands of irrigation projects has affected the health of soil and reduced the agricultural productivity considerably. Central assistance to States is therefore being provided for reclamation of the waterlogged areas in the irrigated command of the projects covered under CADWM Programme. The items of work under this scheme are :

• a. Assessment of problem areas in the commands of irrigation projects.
• b. Planning and designing for preventive and reclamation measures.
• c. Taking up the preventive and remedial activities like land management, drainage (surface, sub-surface, vertical etc.).
• d. Monitoring and evaluation.

Implementing CADWM in a Holistic Manner

• a. Water Users' Associations are to be formed before taking up OFD activities.
• b. OFD Works must be implemented with the active involvement of WUAs and handed over to them after their completion.
• c. Field link and intermediate drains are to be simultaneously constructed along with OFD works wherever required.
• d. WALMIs are to be intimately involved in training and other related activities.
• e. After OFD works have been completed and all outlets are saturated, an MOU must be signed between Minor/distributary committees and Irrigation departments for future maintenance.