Transforming India's Villages Through Innovative Water Harvesting Techniques

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Training being provided to local farmers for water harvesting and the reuse of waste water for the local farming community.by Umar Manzoor Shah (srinagar, india)Wednesday, August 21, 2024Inter Press Service

SRINAGAR, India, Aug 21 (IPS) - Brij Mohan, a 37-year-old farmer from Deoria, a modest village in India's northern state of Uttar Pradesh, has a story of resilience and transformation. Mohan, the lone breadwinner for his family, has two children, the eldest just 10 years old.

A year ago, Mohan grew cabbage on his 3-acre farm, but severe water scarcity limited him to cultivating the crop just once a year under difficult conditions. With minimal irrigation facilities, Mohan's farm yielded no more than Rs 40,000 annually (about USD 600).

"I had no shortage of land, quality seeds, or fertilizers. But the lack of water was a major obstacle to my livelihood. The late arrival of monsoons and limited water from government-sponsored irrigation schemes nearly pushed me to abandon farming. I was pushing my family towards starvation," Mohan told IPS News.

Many members of the farming community are in Mohan's situation, struggling with water scarcity that leaves their lives and fields high and dry.

Manga Ram, who lives just a mile from Mohan, has a similar story. He cultivates brinjal on his 4-acre land but faces meager water supplies that render his otherwise cultivable land barren mid-season.

"I can't blame the government for everything. I know there's a water shortage throughout the region. Farmers are craving water everywhere. But the losses were unbearable," Ram told IPS.

He added that last year he expected a harvest worth over Rs 90,000 (USD 1,200) but barely made half that amount.

"The saplings didn't get enough water, turning into dry twigs and leaving my hopes of a profitable harvest in ruins," Ram recalls.

Brij Mohan with a bundle of Brinjals. Experts have encouraged water harvesting and reuse of waste water formula for the local farming community.

Brij Mohan with a bundle of brinjals. Experts have encouraged water harvesting and the reuse of waste water for the local farming community.

The End of Imagination

According to government estimates, 72 of 75 districts (96 percent) in Uttar Pradesh, including Rampur, recorded below-normal rainfall this year. Data from India's Meteorological Department shows that in 59 districts, rainfall was "very low," with a significant deficiency of less than 60% of the recommended precipitation.

"Even major districts like Meerut and Allahabad received insufficient water for farming. How could we expect this remote area to get government help? Farming was becoming increasingly difficult, as was sustaining our families and providing a good life for our kids," says farmer Suneel Singh.

Another farmer, Ram Dayal, describes the dire situation: "I have a 2-acre plot of land where I grow tomatoes. There wasn't enough rain, and the government's efforts to provide irrigation facilities were minimal. Our resources were too poor to rely on. We were praying for God's help, or it was the end of imagination for us," Dayal told IPS News.

Last year, a team of non-governmental agencies visited the area to understand the farmers' issues. They learned about the severe water shortage that was turning fertile fields barren. The local village heads and NGOs brought in scientific experts who proposed water harvesting and wastewater reuse for the farming community.

During surface irrigation, excess water draining from the fields, known as irrigation tailwater, is primarily considered agricultural wastewater. A certain amount of tailwater drainage is necessary to ensure proper water penetration and irrigation efficiency.

The experts recommended building artificial ponds to collect water cheaply, such as by digging trenches lined with polythene sheets. Water could be stored for 4–5 days, enabling farmers to grow crops on small plots.

Following the guidance, farmers like Suneel, Ram Dayal, and Mohan dug 3-foot-deep pits with 8x6 foot dimensions and carved channels to divert wastewater into the pits. This method allowed them to collect and use wastewater for irrigation, watering their crops twice daily and protecting them from the scorching heat.

"I can now cultivate at least three crops a year. I grow cabbage, cauliflower, and brinjal, which was previously impossible," says Mohan.

He is hopeful that his profits will double in the future, allowing him to provide a comfortable life for his family. "I want my children to get an education but continue farming. Earlier, I was worried about their future. Now I am not," Mohan said.