Background
This project was supported by the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust (SDTT) to enhance the livelihoods of a tribal community by increasing their access to water for irrigation.
Objectives

• Develop the surface and groundwater resources in the village for its optimum utilisation in order to mitigate the adverse effect of droughts on agriculture, human and livestock
• Encourage the community towards sustained community action for the operation and maintenance of assets created and further development of the potential of natural resources in the village
• Build the capacity of the community for effective management of the irrigation infrastructure that would be put in place and in improved agricultural practices
• Check migration (local and distant) through the economic development of the village

Various activities like renovation of a check dam, construction of dug wells, undertaking 30x40 and 5% interventions, seepage tanks, promotion of micro irrigation systems, training of farmers and taking them to exposure visits have been undertaken.

Achievements

In terms of immediate impacts, the beneficiary farmers of the renovated check dam have already used the water and have experienced increased yields in paddy during the last Kharif season. The dug wells, coupled with treadle pumps, have been used to irrigate Bengal Gram and vegetables during the Rabi season. The trainings imparted to the farmers have increased their knowledge on modern agricultural practices and has translated into a change in their practices, like application of fertilisers, nursery raising, etc.