The second issue relates to equity. To date, the adopters of
the structures have been financially better-off farmers in Dewas district with relatively larger landholdings. While the 10% rainwater harvesting model is profitable even after accounting for the loss in productive land due to construction of the structures, poorer farmers with smaller landholdings are reluctant to adopt the model for both risk- and financial-related reasons. Setting aside even small portions of land is a risk for smallholder farmers. In addition, access to and financing of the significant initial investment cost associated with structures—between INR 360,000 and INR 485,000 for a 0.8 ha structure9—is a significant challenge as reported bymanynon-adopting farmers. Government subsidies are
available to support farmers on a limited basis, but not all eligible farmers are able to access the subsidy or other forms of external financing.