The Impact of Water
Harvesting on
Agriculture in Bundelkhand
In
our country, agriculture is the key source of livelihood for many. But the
recurring drought has become a major problem in areas like Greater Bundelkhand, where 64 percent of the population depends on agriculture for
their living. Droughts have direct economic and social ramifications. They
have impacted grain production, horticulture crops, animal productivity,
unemployment, migration, community water conflicts and hunger owing to
altered dietary preferences. Therefore, there is a need to understand the
perceptions of rural farmers about the impact of droughts on their
socioeconomic activities and the environment, adoption of alternative
methods and knowledge about the government’s mitigation initiatives.
Development Alternatives developed a Watershed Development Programme in
Budpura village in 2017 in collaboration with NABARD. A village-level body
known as the village watershed committee was formed to oversee the project's
execution and maintenance. Under the Watershed Development Fund, a check-dam
was built by the village watershed committee with the active participation
of community members, which allowed a significant volume of water to be held
for a long time. Water supply for irrigation changed as a result of the
check-dam construction. Water in the drainage system previously lasted until
December-January, but the check-dam has extended the water availability
until March, ensuring water for irrigation of more than 105 acres of land
during the kharif and rabi seasons.
Farmers are overjoyed since water levels in nearby wells have improved too,
and so has the soil moisture within a 50-metre radius. Production has
increased by more than 20%, while input costs have dropped by 10% to 15%.
Because beneficiaries can stay in one place with enough food, the rate of
migration has been cut to half, also benefiting their health. With these
positive outcomes, the community has become more alert, and they are eager
to continue the watershed work.â–
Vineeta Khatri
vkhatri@devalt.org
Rishabh Singh
rsingh@devalt.org
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