The APFAMGS program sounds ...

The APFAMGS program sounds very promishing indeed. It gave insight in the groundwater situation in India, starting with stating the current (or actually past) water management is desastrous for the environment. The objectives of the program are logical defined. However, my experience tells me something is missing. I worked on a similar project concerning pumping irrigation water in southern Spain (near Cartagena) and also here depletion found place on a fast pace (now located around 30 m below surface). It is known that farmers don't pay too much attention to the environment when it doesn't concern their economical situation. Farmers are mostly practical rather than theoretical oriented. This means you can better show in amount of money how much they can save. This can open their eyes and be a big motivation to change their water management in the area. This is what is missing in the program (or has to be better defined). It is defined in the results (2008 vs 2004), but I assume it is important to include this as an objective. I would like to finish by saying that education is indeed very important in water management, but also the culture (and of course climate) play significant role in water management. This would then more include social studies.