A Geographical Analysis of Policy Conversion and Implementation Efficiency in Government Irrigation Schemes: A Case Study of Indapur Tehsil, Maharashtra

Abstract

Abstract In Western India, climate-proof agriculture is still hindered by the limited sustainable irrigation development in arid and drought affected agricultural areas. This remains an important challenge. The spatial diffusion, policy conversion efficiency, and socio-hydrological impact of crucial state and central government irrigation projects in Indapur Tehsil, Pune District, and Maharashtra are the focus of this comprehensive study. The empirical micro-level dataset of 23,342 total irrigation applicant records from 2020-2021 to 2026-2027 is used to assess policy conversion mechanics, technology adoption vectors and structural governance barriers. An annual report shows a financial impact of 25.97 for the total expenditure. 10,323 households with agricultural income received Crore (259,740.354.74) at a policy conversion rate of 44.23%. Micro-irrigation yielded high efficiency in execution, with 47.12% disbursement and a mean of 24.873%.ht. The spatial dominance of sugarcane and horticulture cropping patterns in the Nira-Bhima River interfluve is directly linked to the heavily skewed allocation of drip irrigation systems (99.94% fund share). PMKSY-PDMC's conversion rate was 31.98%, while CMSAIS had a 96.00% conversion ratio under state-sponsored conditions. On the other hand, individual farm ponds experienced significant attrition, with an 87.88% cancellation rate and 9.26% conversion rate.