Case1-February-2014

Making Rainfed farming viable
by Vellaiappan U

Integrated approach to combat risks in rainfed farming was done by DHAN Foundation in Orivayal watershed of Gundar river basin, Kadaladi block, Ramanathapuram District, Tamil Nadu, India. Nearly 718 families, relies on this watershed which extends to an area of about 1040.63 hectare. Farm ponds, field funding with grass seeding to avoid the erosions, continuous contour trenching, percolation ponds, land development by taking measures on leveling and clearing the Prosophis juliflora jungles, renovation of drinking water pond, provisions of inlet structures to farm ponds for conservation of soil and water were done. Two hundred farm ponds created, 95 with NABARD-WDF assistance and 105 with EU assistance was a tremendous achievement, which resulted in increase in cultivable land, productivity and also the ground water table. Farmers who constructed farm ponds were able to reap good results by cultivating paddy and chillies, while other farmers suffered due to monsoon failure. Drip irrigation technology was also adapted by few farmers for raising Chillies and Cotton, with 100 % grant support from National Horticultural Mission through the State Horticultural department. This integrated approach to combat the risks in rainfed farming can be replicated in other areas.

Background

Orivayal watershed of Gundar river basin is located in Drought prone area of Kadaladi block, Ramanathapuram District. Four hamlets M.Saveriyar pattinum, Maranthai, Panaikulam and Orivayal lies in this watershed area which extends to 1040.63 ha. Agriculture is the main source of livelihood to majority of the 718 families residing in the above hamlets. The area receives only 450 to 750 mm of rainfall annually. The soil type is black cotton soil, in which Paddy, Chillies and Cotton are cultivated. This paper narrates the intergrated approach done by DHAN Foundation to combat and reduce the risks in rainfed farming through various approaches.

The funds from National Bank for Agricultural and Rural Development- water shed development fund (NABARD-WDF) and European Union were used for watershed development activities. Apart from this drip irrigation scheme of National Horticultural mission rooted through the State Horticultural department were rooted to farmers for this purpose.

Orivayal Water shed Association

Watershed development in Orivayal was implemented after enabling and organizing people to form Village water shed association which comprised of User groups (the beneficiary farmers were organized into different small groups), Self help groups ( women SHG members who are either landless or marginal farmers in the watershed area) and Panchayat ward members.

The Orivayal Village watershed Association (OVWA) has played a vital role in successful implementation of watershed program. This association contains members from four hamlets M.Saveryar pattinum, Maranthai, Panaikulam and Orivayal. Currently six user groups were formed which has the membership of 240. Apart from this seventeen self help groups were formed in these villages which has member strength of 255. The Orivayal Water shed association was governed by fifteen executive members, having village wise representation from User groups and SHGs on demographic basis. Among the members three are landless, six are women members from SHGs and the rest are landholders from User groups. The Orivyal Watershed Association was registed under Societies act and represents the 740 families in the four hamlets. The association meets once in a month for taking important decisions with respect to watershed development activities. The annual general body meeting is held once in a year to overlook the performance and financial aspects of the association during which all members in the watershed participate. Any change in the executive committee is also made during the AGBM.

User Groups+Self Help Groups+Panchayat ward member = Village watershed committee

Watershed Development Activities

Through the project many activities viz., creation of farm ponds, field bunding with grass seeding to avoid the erosions, continuous contour trenching, percolation ponds, land development by taking measures on leveling and clearing the juliflora jungles, renovation of drinking water pond, provisions of inlet structures to farm ponds for conservation of soil and water were undertaken. The details of the activities done is furnished in the below table

Convergence of various programme and interventions in the watershed

With focus on a comprehensive solution for the families living in the four hamlets, effort was taken to combine many schemes from different agencies to create a very good environment that facilitate water harvesting, water saving and meet the drinking water needs of the families apart from focus on agriculture. The following activities were done through this convergence approach

• Renovation of drinking water pond through Philanthropic assistance
• Creation of farm ponds assisted through various partners
• Enhance the agriculture productivity through credit assistance from NABARD-UPNRM
• National Horticulture Mission for Drip irrigation

Renovation of the drinking water pond through Philanthropic support

Villages in drought prone areas of Ramnad district suffer from drinking water deficit and Orivayal watershed area is no exclusion. The shortage of drinking water, causes innumerable trouble to the people from forcing them to travel long distance to fetch water, causing physical and mental stress to questioning their employability for survival. The drinking water pond in the M.Saveriyar Pattinam village was in very bad shape, the silt deposits has reduced the water holding capacity of the pond. The water in the pond could able to meet only the drinking water needs for six months and the people were either forced to travel long distance to fetch water or purchase water from tanker lorries which sells water for र 3/ pot. People even used to go to Melasirupothu, where a desalinization plant ( ground water is salty which was rectified through the desalinization plant) is installed, stand in queue for hours and return with 2-3 pots of water. They also at times fetch water Nariappaiur desalinization plant which purifies sea water.

Some people even went and stood in queue to Melasirupothu, where there is a desalination plant (salty ground water) to fetch 2-3 pots of water. They also received water from Narippaiur, desalination plant (from seawater). This problem persisted for the villagers until 2004 when the water shed program was initiated in the village. The villagers from M.Saveriyar pattinum who came to know of the project sought the support of DHAN for reviving the two drinking water ponds in the village.

This problem was exist till the entry of watershed programme during 2004.By awareness about the watershed programme M.Saveriyar pattinam villagers approached DHAN Foundation to expect the philanthropic support for revival of drinking water source of two ponds. DHAN sourced Rupees three lakhs philanthropic assistance and the user group contributed a amount of Rupees one lakh, which was used to renovate the two ponds, each costing two lakhs.

This incredible work was coordinated by the Village Watershed Committee. The two hundred and seventy plus families living in the village felt extremely glad at the effort that put an end to their long borne drudgery and provided a solution to their drinking water needs.

Creation of farmponds through different projects

Farm ponds play a crucial role to combat the climatic vagaries, which have a drastic effect on the life’s and livelihood of farm families, depending solely on rainfed agriculture. Ramnad district traversed with innumerable tanks which are in most dilapidated condition , is severely drought prone and farmers play a gamble with rains by raising rainfed crops expecting good returns, and most of the time end losers. Even if there is no water for providing one or two irrigation, during critical crop growth phases it will have extreme impact on the productivity and at times utter crop failure landing farmers in debts. Farm ponds can remain as a source of rescue, providing water during critical crop growth phases. Two hundred farm ponds established in the Orivayal watershed area, had a tremendous impact in increasing the cultivable area, productivity and also led to increase in ground water table. Ninety five farm ponds were constructed with the support of NABARDWDF and hundred and five farm ponds have constructed through European Union and others assistance. The concept of every household having a tree to create a healthy environment is suggested by the government. Likewise, in rainfed farming areas, we should work with the aim that each and every farm families should have farm pond of their own.

The details of funding utilized for creation of farm pond.

Technicality behind farm pond construction

Farm pond and its features

Farm Pond is a small scale water harvesting structure established in a farm land to collect and store water during the monsoon. The runoff water above the surface and below the surface in the catchment area is collected in the farm pond. The water stored in the ponds is used to irrigate crops and survive the crops at the time of water shortage. It is a pro-poor product, suitable for the farming families involved in small scale farming. One notable fact is that about 68% of the area is susceptible to drought in India. Farm ponds are the efficient products to reduce the impact of drought on the poor families. Generally two types of farm ponds are established.

Dug out ponds: Generally dug out ponds are rectangular or square shaped and it stores water below ground level

Surface ponds: They are the miniature of irrigation tank, established by building an earthen embankment across small streams flowing in and around the farm lands. Generally the site which has already a depression will be selected for digging a farm pond. It collects the surface run-off from its catchment area.

The agriculture fields are irrigated manually or using traditional devices or through gravity outlet for or by using diesel engine operated pumps.

Purpose of Farm Pond

The farm ponds are established to

1. Harvest rain water (runoff from the catchment)
2. Provide supplemental irrigation to the standing crops at critical growth stages
3. Incidental benefit of ground water recharge
4. Provide drinking water to cattle
5. Take up fish rearing activity for generating income
6. Promotion of horticulture plantations or tree crops
7. Generate wage employment to landless
8. Promotion of vegetables to meet the demand of family consumption

Factors influences the effectiveness of the farm pond

1. Rainfall: rainfall is the main factor for surface run-off and infiltration of water into soil. Higher the rainfall intensity, greater will be the surface run-off. Shorter spell with long duration leads to higher infiltration of water into soil.
2. Soil: The texture and structure of soil decides the storage capacity of the farm ponds. Farm ponds need not be established in sandy or laterite soil areas due to high infiltration. Clay loam or loamy soil is highly suitable for establishing farm pond. The establishment of dug out ponds in this area will help the small and marginal farming community to increase the area under agriculture.
3. Site of farm pond: The basic objective of the farm pond is to harvest/conserve water and use it for crop production and other purposes. Therefore, the site of the pond should be decided in such way that major amount of run-off water can be harvested and used easily. Natural depression or low lying area located in the farm land could be ideal area for the establishment of pond.
4. Percolation and evaporation losses: percolation or seepage takes place at the bottom as well as sides of the farm pond. Seepage losses are noticed in the first two years; after two years the seepage reduces gradually. To reduce water loss due to percolation clay soil can be deposited in the farm pond bed at 1 foot height and height of the clay packing can be increased based on the soil strata.
5. Pond size: The size of the pond varies depending upon the topography and land holding size. In orivayal watershed farm ponds are established to hold 500 cubic meters to 2000 cubic meter of water. The shape of the farm pond will vary depending upon the field conditions. Normally in square type and rectangular type is practiced
6. Catchment area: catchment area decides the number of filling per year; the ponds should have a catchment of at least 3-5 acres.
7. Cropping pattern: the sole purpose of farm pond is to harvest rain water to irrigate crops. Here farmers choosing paddy as well as chilli are the major crops benefiting through farm pond structure and it is better to avoid crops that require huge volume of water.
8. Farmer contribution: Contribution in any form (Kind / cash / labour) can be mobilized to build the ownership of the stake holder. This ensures regular maintenance and management.

Cost of Establishing a Farm Pond

The cost incurred to dig out one cubic meter of soil is around र 30-45. The establishment works are executed by employing machineries like earth movers (JCB) and tractors. The cost of establishing a farm pond with a water holding capacity of 1000 cubic meters is 40000- 45000. The establishment of such farm ponds assures farm productivity and reduces the probability of crop failures.

NABARD-UPNRM FOR VARIOUS ACTIVITIES

National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development is implementing Umbrella Programme for Natural Resource Management (UPNRM) as one among the schemes in their development perspective for development of village economy. The project mainly focuses on restoring the natural resource through loan assistance. In Orivayal watershed UGs and SHGs availed loans through the project and got benefited. The activities are taken up through this project is as given in the table.

Table: Loans to members through UPNRM

Impact of UPNRM loan in the watershed

The Chilli producing farmers of User group in Orivayal watershed of Ramanathapuram district took loan to shift from present practice inorganic way of cultivating chillies to produce Pesticide free Chillies. Pesticide free chillies fetch premium price in the market and farmers can earn more income. The loan is used for meeting the seed cost, cost of cultivation, application of organic fungicide, farm yard manure and other organic manures. The orientation by experts to members to produce with organic fungicide and Farm Yard Manure was given which enabled them to produce pesticide free quality chillies which fetches a competitive price in the market. Normally hectic spray of pesticides is done for chillies which are not preferred by the consumers who are health conscious.

National horticulture mission programme for micro irrigation

The watershed development programme enabled the members not only to involve in management of water bodies, but also to conserve water by adapting micro irrigation techniques for Chilli and Cotton. Farmers were facilitated by the program to avail grant from National Horticultural Mission through the Department of Horticulture, to install drip irrigation system in their fields. The total cost for drip irrigation was र 85000/ ha, for which a subsidy of र 49000/ha was given and balance was met by the farmers. Chilli and Cotton crops were grown using drip irrigation. The farmers used to follow relay cropping, the cotton seeds will get sown even while the chilli crop is flowering stage, which also helps to use available water effectively. Farmers realized 20 % incremental yield in Chilli and Cotton by resorting to drip irrigation practice.

Out comes and impacts

Crystallizing the different development programme in Orivayal watershed, the following are the major impacts one could infer;

Except for the farmers who constructed farm ponds in the Orivayal water shed, the other farmers in nearby villages faced crop failure due to inadequate rains. However the farmers who constructed farm ponds had a good harvest to a tune of 30 to 35 bags/acre (65 kgs/ bag) and 800 to 1000 kgs of Chillies. The farmers got an income of around र 30000/acre, an increase in income by 50 % over the previous year. The experience shows that farm ponds are not a liability but an asset which can insure and ensure the sustainability of livelihoods.

More than 200 farm ponds which can support irrigation to more than 500 hectares were created. This intervention supports the rainfed farmers exclusively thereby stabilizing their farming activity, ensuring food security, improving the productivity and income. The small and marginal farmers not only gave their portion of land for construction of farm pond but also contributed 50 % of the cost for construction of farm ponds.

The intervention apart from ensuring surface water availability, also improved the quality of ground water by reducing the salinity, thereby making it suitable for irrigation. Farmers now use both surface water and groundwater in a conjunctive way to irrigate their crops The watershed development activities also enabled to fetch the other government programs such as drip irrigation for the benefit of farmers, which also facilitated effective use of available water.

The activities helped to increase the income of farm families, thereby contributing directly to poverty reduction.

Orivayal watershed works is recognized as a good watershed model by NABARD to showcase their watershed implementation program. This model was positioned nationwide to other partners, who came on exposure visits and gained knowledge about the practical benefits of the model.

The farmer of Orivayal watershed also remain as a source of inspiration to other farmers in Ramnad district to take up farm pond construction works, which greatly supports crop cultivation even when there are no adequate rains .

Learning and recommendations

Farmers in Orivayal watershed do not cultivate paddy in the same field every year, but in alternate years owing to salinity of the land. The adoption of field bunding techniques reduced the salinity of the land to greater extent, thereby enabling them to take up paddy cultivation in the same field year after year.

The farmers of Orivayal watershed who earlier practice mono cropping, now resorted to double cropping system of cultivation.

The removal of Prosophis juliflora jungle increased the area under cultivation in the project site. Ground water level in the project site drastically improved and all watershed programs can replicate this model to ensure vibrancy in watershed program. Adjoining watershed program can be taken at cluster or sub basin level by collaborative approach of panchayat federation, GO and Government.

Though Ramnad Chilli is known for its high pungency and preferred by the consumers, the market price is decided by the middlemen. Facilitating the post harvest techniques like solar drier and cold storage to chilli crops, will greatly support the farmers to dictate price. Companies with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) would come forward to support farmers to adopt advanced irrigation techniques like drip irrigation in larger scale.