EFFICIENT USE OF WATER IN IRRIGATION IN RIVULET ARVARI AND SARSA BASIN
We are working in the 30 villages of 5 Gram Panchayats of block Thanagazi; situated in the southern part of the district Alwar of Eastern Rajasthan. The villages of the region situated in the basins of Rivulets Arvari, Sarsa and Jahajwali.
With inadequate water-management systems, irrigation is insufficient and inefficient thus directly hurting agricultural productivity. More than 70% of the farmers are small or marginalized farmers. Loosening cultural bonds and increasing population aggravating land and water disputes among the local communities. In last few years, it is observed that the scope for construction of new rain water harvesting structure is reducing due to less land availability but demand for agriculture and livelihood options are increasing the region.
A trend of increase in bore-wells at individual level, increasing exploitation of ground water for irrigation proving the fact that water conservation works needed to be complimented by efficient us of water in irrigation.
Expected impacts of the project are:
Increase in efficiency of irrigation system in agriculture will lead to less dependency on monsoon for even subsistence agriculture production. Benefits from improved crop productivity include income generation, employment opportunities and food security. It will help farmers to adapt and strengthen their resilience to climate change.
Based on our past experience, it reduces drudgery of women’s life, as they are the one who spent their most of time in agriculture. This saved time shall be used for another livelihood options or betterment of their quality life. Availability of water for better agriculture will ensure less water related disputed leading to the harmony in the communities living together for better future.
Expected outcomes of the proposed project are:
40% reduction in consumption of water for irrigation per acre as it will allow farmers to (i) use less water to grow the same amount of crops; (ii) more productively farm larger areas of land by using the same amount of water; or (iii) use the same amount of water to grow higher value, more water-intensive crops.
30% reduction in loss of water during conveyance for irrigation requiring less water for a comparable area of irrigation, which in turn requires less energy for pumping this water.
80% reduction in human labor time required during irrigation per acre due to the regulated flow of water in the irrigation operation. This indirectly reduces time spent on weeding and applying fertilizer.
20% increase in income from agriculture produce per acre as it will improve crop yields and quality through direct impacts as well as indirect ones, such as decreased soil salinity, fewer attacks from pests and diseases, and less weed competition.
Expected Beneficiary: 1960 households
