Water Conservation- Subodh Kumar

Water Conservation work from Chondhi Village
Diliprao Mahadev Rao Garge, 55 from chondi village has 5.5 acre of land. He has seven members in the family. He is the only one earning member in his family and engaged in the farming work. His three children are studying.

Background of Irrigation
He had dug a well 25 year back. That time it costs Rs. 50000. The depth of the well was 30 feet and water was around up to 10 feet. For last 8 years he has been observing that water table has gone down. Seven year back he again made an effort to go for deepening of the well. He dug the well up to 42 feet and still he was not getting sufficient water. He invested Rs. 24000 in the whole process after getting loan from his relative.

He again made an attempt to strengthen his irrigation system 14 months back in October, 2008. A bore has been suffused in the earth up to 425 feet. He could not get water. In this process he spent Rs. 38000. He was very much worried and disturbed because his cultivation was under threat and it was making his economic condition weak.

Crops
He had sown 2.5 acre cotton in his land in August 2009 and the crop was not healthy due to lack of irrigation. He was simply observing his dying cotton.

KJBF intervention
Two farm pond on the name Kamal Dhiran and Siddharth Rai has been dug near by the well and bore well, diagonally opposite and the gradient of the water flow was towards well (See figure-2). In November, 2009 rainfall has been received. The stratum of the farm pond is morum type –A highly demanded strata for recharge. All the water got recharged. Since then two more rainfall has been received.

Diliprao Mahadev Rao Garge has again invested Rs. 20000 in motor on wire and pipe to check the availability of water in his borewell. He invested this amount after getting credit from shopkeeper. He was surprised to see that he found water table at 175 feet. He has linked a single phase submersible 1 hp motor and water is being continuously stored in the well. Now his well has started working up to 4 hrs with a 3 hp motor. He is delighted to see the water. He has sown gram after looking the possibility of the water. The cotton varieties which he has sown are Mallika, Encounter and JK vajra.



Reinvestment and income from crop
Sl. No. Crops ownership Land holding in Acre Sown in month Income in Rs. Expected income after getting good irrigation sources in Rs.
1. Cotton Dilip Rao 4.75 August 42000 39000
2. Gram Dilip Rao 0.75 November end 10000
3. Wheat Ramesh Rao 1.5 November 18000
Total Area under irrigation 7.0 Total income 42000 67000
Data source: Primary (interview)

He has also cultivated vegetables such as green coriander, brinjal, onion, methi palak in 2 guttha.


Other impact of the farm pond
It has also recharged 3 surrounding wells. A complete dried well has around 3 feet water and Balunarayan rao is using it for the drinking purpose. The villagers are delighted to see water and got motivation for the water conservation activity. Two more farmers have put up their demand for the farm pond.