Book of Extended summaries ISDA

International Conference on Reimagining Rainfed Agro-ecosystems: Challenges &
Opportunities during 22-24, December 2022 at ICAR-CRIDA, Hyderabad
Methodology
Construction/renovation of checkdams was taken up as a natural resource management
technology during 2011 to 2021 at Chamalur, Chakrayapeta and Peravali for improving the
crop productivity and socio-economic conditions of farmers under National Innovations in
Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) project operating at KVK, Reddipalli, Ananthapuramu
district. A total of 21 checkdam were constructed/renovated in these villages. For the present
study, data was collected on size of checkdam, volume of water harvested, rainfall(mm)
received, no of borewells, openwells recharged and economics of crops cultivated utilizing the
water stored in checkdam during 2019-2021 in the adopted villages.
Results
With the NRM interventions of KVK-Reddipalli under NICRA project, 21 check dams were
constructed/renovated in Chamalur, Chakraypeta and Peravali villages. Farmers used to
cultivate groundnut and redgram majorly depending on rainfall. During the years 2019 to 2021,
nearly 35967 m 3 , 101005 m 3 , 101914 m 3 of water was harvested and stored in check dams as
shown in the table. During the years 2019 to 2021, 53 open wells and 166 bore wells were
recharged in these three villages. Similar findings were reported by Venkateswarlu, 2019. In
addition to the groundnut crop grown earlier, farmers started cultivating castor, greengram,
redgram, paddy, yellow jowar, curry leaf, tomato, bhendi, pumpkin, lily, jasmine, sweet
orange, banana, custard apple, guava, acid lime, pomegranate and fodders with the harvested
rain water.
The net income of the farmers increased from Rs.9171/ha with cultivation of rainfed groundnut
before construction of checkdams to average net returns of Rs.64650/ha with cultivation of
various agricultural and horticultural crops in NICRA adopted villages (Table 2). Net returns
from rainfed groundnut cultivation increased from Rs.9171/ha to Rs.43163/ha due to
availability of water for supplemental irrigation from checkdams or recharged
borewells/openwells in vicinity of checkdams. Among the various crops grown curry leaf has
recorded highest net returns (Rs.230000/ha) with a B:C ratio of 8.67 followed by jasmine
(Rs.162500/ha, 3.60) and castor (Rs.94323/ha, 1.92).
Conclusion
Construction/renovation of check dams resulted in harvesting, storage of rain water, recharge
of nearby open/bore wells. Timely availability of water for supplemental irrigation from these
sources increased the cultivated area and income of rainfed farmers.
References
Bhargav, K. S. and Tank, U. N. 2011. Development of water resources at micro level through
rain water harvesting. Agricultural Engineering Today 35(1): 16-19.
Resilience through land and water management interventions, water management and governance
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