Rainwater Harvesting and Reuse through Farm Ponds

Not AvailableRainfed farming will remain the main stay for the livelihood support of millions of small and marginal farmers across the country even after realizing the complete irrigation potential. Rainwater management is the most critical component of rainfed farming. The successful production of rainfed crops largely depends on how efficiently soil moisture is conserved in situ or the surplus runoff is harvested, stored and recycled for supplemental irrigation. Research by ICAR and State Agricultural Universities has resulted in designing of efficient water harvesting structures for different rainfall regions and soil types, effective storage of harvested water and methods of its efficient use. Outside the main stream research system also, several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have come up with models of simple and low cost water harvesting structures, evolved water sharing methods, community regulation of water use, which helped in up-scaling the models to certain extent. Different state governments (Maharastra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat etc) have initiated special programmes on farm ponds/small storage structures in order to ensure the sustainability and to improve the livelihoods of people. Despite these experiences, the adoption of farm ponds at the individual farm level has been very low, particularly for drought proofing through life saving irrigation of kharif crops. A number of technological and socio-economic constraints are cited for this poor adoption and up-scaling. With climate change posing a major challenge for rainfed agriculture and the constraints in further expansion of irrigated area in the country, rainwater harvesting and efficient water use are inevitable options to sustain rainfed agriculture in future. The rainfall extremes and high intensity rain events witnessed in recent years are likely to cause large spatial and temporal variations in the amount of surplus runoff available for harvesting. In some areas, there could be increased runoff and more potential for harvesting, while in other areas it might decrease. Considering these issues, a two-day National Workshop-cum-Brain storming session on farm pond technology was organized at CRIDA during 21-22 April,20009 with the objectives of (a) Sharing of experiences on water harvesting and reuse through farm ponds and related issues, among scientific institutions, Govt. departments, NGOs, civil society organizations and progressive farmers. (b) to Understand the biophysical, technological and social constraints in adoption and up-scaling. and (c)Identify critical research gaps and policy initiatives for wider adoption of farm pond technology in the country. The workshop was primarily sponsored by National Agricultural Innovation Programme (NAIP) of ICAR under Sustainable Rural Livelihoods Programme. The workshop was attended by about 80 members representing scientific community (both ICAR and state agricultural universities), central and state government departments and NGOs. The present volume presents the practices being followed in different states and recent technological advances made, the role being envisaged for farm ponds in rainfed agriculture.Not Availabl