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India is facing a major water crisis the country. It is projected that in the near future, 21 major cities in India will run out of ground water. The ground water level in several parts of India has been steadily depleting over the years. Again, the situation gets worse for the farmers in the tribal areas. The tribes live on top of the hills because they own piece of land on the hill. They get enough water during the monsoon season (June-Sept) to grow one crop such as rice. However, the rainwater from the monsoon season flows down the hill and is not harvested. The streams and wells go dry after March. The families migrate to the cities in search of jobs during summer affecting children's education and creating an unstable family life
Solution: Farm Ponds
One of the solutions is to Build Farm ponds which will collect rain water run off during three monsoon months. The collected water will be utilized for Pisciculture, irrigation, water supply for cattle, Food production etc.
A farm pond is a dugout structure with a definite shape and size It is covered with impermeable sheets. It is used for cattle and for irrigation purpose during the prolonged period of non-monsoon months.
Farmers having Farm ponds can harvest more than one cashcrop Like sugarcane and groundnuts and at times also horticulture, which can supplement the income of small land holding farmers.
Solar powered irrigation water pump for Tribal Agri- Cluster villages
The farmers in the tribal areas of the villages under consideration have small parcels of cultivable land, but they can grow only one rain-fed crop. This is not sufficient to support their families through the year. The villages have water bodies nearby, however due to lack of funds and irregular grid power, they cannot utilize this water for by irrigation.
Due to lack of alternative livelihood opportunities, these farmers migrate from village to the cities in search of work during summer. They end up becoming daily wage earners as unorganized labor in the construction Industry. Their wages are low and inconsistent and living conditions inadequate with poor sanitation conditions.
The proposed project is to provide Solar powered water lift pump for Irrigation to the villages and distribute by network of pipelines so as to help the villagers to continue harvest of cash crops like Sugarcane and Groundnuts in the non monsoon months and provide a source of Income. Drip irrigation is adopted for optimum utilization of water.
This project will support:
• Installation of Solar powered Drip Irrigation to facilitate use of available water during non-monsoon season.
• Introduce alternative cash crops like Groundnut and different vegetables.
• Upliftment of Tribal farmers through diversification of cropping pattern.
• Augument Farmers income.
• Provide employment to landless native labour.
• Improve economic well being.
• Stop migration of Youth to nearby urban cities in search of employment.
The Project Proposal
The proposal now is for
1.Three farm Ponds in Shivajinagar, Bijwadi and Umberpada Villages US $ 11,300
(Population )
2.Two Solar powered Drip-irrigation systems in US $ 43,900
Shindepada and Chondanipada Villages (Population 673)
Total Project Cost US $ 55,300
This project fits into Rotary's following Areas of Focus such as:
• Water and sanitation
• Economic and community development Estimated Timeline and required funds:
The project execution typically takes 5 to 6 months. The estimated cost of the project is $55,300. We plan to raise $22,400 through club contributions and matching funds from District 3142 and TRF. We are looking forward to support from an international club to help to raise balance amount through their club and partner clubs' contributions, DDF from their district and matching grant from TRF.
The club members will use their expertise to design the project and negotiate prices and terms. From time to time members will visit the site to monitor the progress till the project is executed. After the project, the members will visit to assess the impact.
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