Impacts of Check Dam on Agriculture

Sujan Singh Parihar of Budpura, where Watershed Development Fund (WDF) of NABARD is being implemented by Development Alternatives, says that “soil and water conservation structures positively impact the issues of water scarcity, soil degradation and low agricultural production in Bundelkhand.”

He emphasises on the visible impact of one check dam constructed under WDF on more than 100 acres of land of approximately fifty farmers. He describes the impact as “major” because it helped develop more than 20 acres of degraded land of other farmers of the village including two acres of his own land for agriculture production.

Sujan Singh described the realisation of change in terms of availability of water for irrigation because of construction of the check dam. Earlier water available in the stream lasted till December-January, but building the check dam enhanced water availability till March which ensures water for irrigation of more than 100 acres of land for Kharif and Rabi crops. He is happy due to improvement of the water levels in the adjoining wells and soil moisture in around 50-meter radius. He says that production has enhanced by more than 20% and input cost reduced by 10-15%. ■

Rishabh Singh
rsingh@devalt.org