Soil and water conservation work improves the soil moisture regime and increases the water level in the wells which helps the farmers in cultivating at least 2 crops (kharif/monsoon and rabi/winter) and in certain cases even a third crop in summer months. 

In the words, of Shevantabai Thakre, a tribal women farmer from Mandva village – "In our field we now grow jowar (sorghum), gram, pulses and cotton and we have even changed our cropping pattern and cultivate wheat and soyabean. We have a well for which we took a loan from the bank. I have the necessary farm implements and bought an ox for Rs. 8,000/- with the earnings from the watershed work. "

Another tribal farmer, who lost his parents at an early age, Pandu Vikya Pawar from Talavali watershed says - "Before watershed activities, we only grew rice, which was not sufficient for us. Now we are cultivating tur (pigeon pea) and vegetables and even the rice production has increased due to the farm bunds constructed in our land. I also planted some subabul and teak (which are not yet mature) to earn some money." 

Biomass regeneration is another visible impact. On an average, above 100,000 saplings and improved grass varieties are planted in a watershed. Natural regeneration of grasses and shrubs is also quite good due to ban on free grazing. The watershed committee of Dongaon village in Nanded district earned around Rs. 114,000 (contributed towards the Maintenance Fund) from the sale of grass, after meeting the fodder requirements of all households. The fodder increase is in the range of 50% to 400 % in most of the project villages. In Darewadi, which receives a very scanty rainfall, over 250,000 saplings were planted with a survival rate of above 80%. 

Madhav Lahange, chairperson of Talavali VWC says - "Because of plantation in the wastelands our income has gone up. Earlier cattle used to graze on this land and there was hardly any grass. The villagers collectively decided that the cattle should not be grazed in the wasteland, and now we get good income from the grass harvested from there."
 

Distress migration to resource endowed areas was a regular phenomenon in most of the project villages. Watershed work provided regular labour opportunities for the villagers and on an average 70 to 80% of the project expenditure goes as labour wages to the watershed dwellers. 

In the words of Vishwanath Bhagat, a farmer from Chincholi watershed - "In the beginning, people were bit sceptical about the work. However, once the work started and people started getting Rs. 60–70 a day as wages, they became very enthusiastic. While the work was in progress we had a drought. Earlier, during such times, the villagers would sell off all their livestock and migrate in search of work, but this time they started getting work within the village. A family could earn upto Rs. 1,000 a week." 

Manohar Chimaji Maid, a marginal farmer from Darewadi has this to say - "Earlier, me and my two sons used to migrate for a few months for sugarcane cutting. Now we do not go out. Two of my sons and their wives work in the watershed. Lots of people from our village who used to migrate for months now find work within the village. In my view this is the biggest advantage from the watershed." 
 

Social life in the village has also become more healthy and unified. Women have their savings and credit groups, which provide small loans for day-to-day needs. Local institutions are getting consolidated and people are playing are active role in the development of their own villages. 

Ms. Vatsalabai Gurmule, 40 years, watershed labourer, VWC member, Mahila Mandal (Women's informal group) Vice-President, Mandwa: "The people suggested my name to be on the Village Watershed Committee (VWC) and that is how I became a VWC member. In the beginning I was not happy about this but now I am glad to be the representative of the women. As a VWC member I am present for all the meetings. In the meetings we generally discuss how much work has been done and how much work has yet to be finished."
 

Since migration has reduced, the number of school going children has increased. Earlier they would accompany their parents when they migrated or were left back in the village without anybody to supervise them. Moreover, they were sent to tend the cattle to augment the family income. In Talwali village, the number of school going children has increased from 20 to 200; besides 160 children are studying in government run tribal boarding schools.