Abstract:
Kuttippuram is one of the Grama Panchayaths of Malapppuram district of Kerala State
with a population of about 46000. One of the major issues of the Panchayath is the non
availability of irrigation water during summer months. Considering these circumstances, a study
has been taken up to assess the food demand and production potential using GIS and remote
sensing with the specific objectives of estimating water resource availability, food demand and
agricultural production potential of Kuttippuram Grama Panchayath. The project area covers the
sub-watersheds of Bharathapuzha and Tirurpuzha in and around Kuttippuram
Grama
Panchayath boundary. Sub-watershed delineation, spatial mapping of land use and soil were the
most important preliminary tasks involved in the whole exercise. For the quick and efficient
delineation of sub-watersheds and for spatial mapping of natural resources, GIS and Soil and
Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) were made use of. SWAT was set up and calibrated for the
basin with good simulation efficiency and the calibrated model was used to analyse the water
balance components of the river basin. Hydrologic responses of the sub basins were very quick
including that for ground water outflow. The study showed that by conserving a small fraction of
the water yield during the late part of monsoon season, the food requirement for self
consumption can be well satisfied together with a substantial extra production meant for export.
