Rain roof water Harvesting Structures supported in 5 schools June -2022 to May 2023

• 4 Rain roof water harvesting structures were supported by WIN in the Samakhyali area of Bachau one 1 structure for renovation in Rapar 

• 2 Jaldoots were also supported by WIN who were local youth trained in Geo Hydrology and ground water management practices. They worked with the school children and community members on raising awareness on importance of water conservation, water testing, rain roof water harvesting structures etc

• All 5 structures are complete. 3 of them are linked with RO plant provided to the school by the panchayat. 2 schools have now been able to apply for the plant as they have a RRWHS tank.  

• More than 500 children have benefitted from the plant. 

As we are in the 5th year of our PGWM project, one of our major focuses is on measuring the impact of our interventions and suggest future directions. As part of this, a baseline study has been done by a bachelors student from Urban design program at CEPT UNIVERSITY. Now a deeper study is underway, by a team led Prof. Deepak Singhania, IIT Gandhinagar. Prof, Singhania has strong experience in socio-economic impact studies.

1. Water harvesting structures  - project period April 2023 – March 2024 

Our work on water conservation in partnership with Samerth Charitable Trust, has yielded results for drinking as well as irrigation needs in the given challenging weather conditions. 

Construction work is completed in all 8 structures, which will impact 95 families and 1135 cattle population. 3 of the 8 structures are complete.  The work for other 5 has come to a halt due to the Biparjoy cyclone. 

Capacity building of team and water group formation (institutional bodies near the structures) has also begun with the community contributing 10% of the overall structure cost. 

Activity

8 Water conservation structures in the intervention area to retain rainwater

• Kharu Pond at Taga Village

• Datar Pond at Taga

• Sutharki Pond at Varnu

• Papadiwala Pond at Varnu

• Kagthar check dam at Rashaji Gadhda,

• Kalidhar Earthen Bund at Lodrani

• Ramasar Pond at Lodrani

• Falku Nadi Bund at Jatawada village.

Impacts

• Crops taken in Kharif and Rabi season (previously only rainf-fed farming during Kharif) 

• 76 Farmers have irrigated 333 acres of land successfully

• In Rabi season 39 out of 76 farmers could take a second crop (cash crop) this year, which was not possible previously.

• These 39 farmers have mitigated the cost of water and have been able to bridge the gap between available water and required water for irrigation. 

• Increased farmer income

• Drinking water for cattle

• Market linkage - 216 farmers linked so far out of 1000 planned

Challenges

Erratic weather affects agriculture, crop growth and yield. Due to unannounced rains and climate change, on average each farmer has lost 10% of their produce due to climate change and unannounced rainfall. This also highlights the need of water conservation work in building resilience of communities in uncertain climate.

Way forward

Demand side interventions to optimize water usage and conserve soil health in the following ways:

• Soil health and soil testing

• Market linkage, and study the impact of sale and benefit to the farmers 

• explore methods like multi-cropping and transitioning towards farming practices that harmonize with local ecosystems

• Increase reliance on organic inputs rather than chemical inputs

• Long-term preservation of local seeds, fodder, and water resources 

Challenges

Erratic weather affects agriculture, crop growth and yield. Due to unannounced rains and climate change, on average each farmer has lost 10% of their produce due to climate change and unannounced rainfall. This also highlights the need of water conservation work in building resilience of communities in uncertain climate.