Sujala III, the World Bank assisted project implemented in 1.2 million ha of rain fed areas of Karnataka focused on the innovative Land Resources Inventory (LRI) providing detailed site data, including hydrological assessments to farmers to derive better decisions about crop selection, soil and water management, and addressing climate change resilience.

End Line Project Impact Evaluation was conducted in an integrated manner comprising a multi-disciplinary professionals using satellite images, detailed sample field inventory and in depth interview of project beneficiaries and focussed group discussion covering the key components of the project like: Land Resources Inventory (LRI), Hydrological Studies, Strengthening of Horticulture in drylands, Capacity Building (individual and institutional) and the Socio-economic changes.

The study has been able to identify the scientific approach adopted to provide recommendations to the farmers and getting the farmers together under FPOs as the driver of success. Evaluation has found that the project has performed extremely well in terms of improved soil moisture regime, shift towards horticulture crops and formation of Farmers Producers Organisation (FPO). It was concluded that continuation of its activities in the coming decade through the line departments will help the beneficiaries to improve their livelihood system.