Analysis of the impacts of MGNREGA using spatial data analysis

Abstract

In response to the escalating global demand for secure access to freshwater resources, governments worldwide have implemented technology-driven initiatives for water resource development. This research focuses on a pivotal initiative, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) of 2005, which has been instrumental in constructing water conservation structures and other assets in rural areas to enhance community welfare and generate employment opportunities. Under the program, over 120 million assets have been constructed across India over the course of seventeen years since the initiative was first announced. There exists a knowledge gap regarding the evaluation of the investment returns derived from the construction of water conservation assets, limiting the ability of policymakers in the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD). This study aims to bridge this gap, by leveraging various geospatial technology and datasets. For the analysis, diverse spatially delineated data sources from across the country and over different years have been collected and integrated. To facilitate this, a robust data warehouse has been developed, utilizing concepts of computer networks and parallelization for dataset extraction, along with natural language processing (NLP) for seamless integration. The study employs a combination of spatial data analysis, econometrics, and machine learning techniques to investigate the factors influencing the construction of Farm Ponds in specific locations, addressing the questions of where, when, why, and how long these constructions occur. Commencing with an in-depth analysis of the state of Uttar Pradesh, the scope of the study expands to encompass the entirety of India.