Book of Extended summaries ISDA

International Conference on Reimagining Rainfed Agro-ecosystems: Challenges &
Opportunities during 22-24, December 2022 at ICAR-CRIDA, Hyderabad
Satheesh Kumar et.al. (2017), used rainfall-runoff modelling using SCS-CN method and
similar results were obtained from the current study. The rainfall runoff relationship was
worked out for further planning of small rainwater harvesting structures like farm ponds. The
runoff potential is found to be 28.31 % of the rainfall indicating a good scope for rainwater
harvesting and thereby, many more rainwater harvesting structures can be constructed based
on site-specific conditions. A relation between rainfall and runoff for was worked out as Y =
0.4043X – 88.882 (R 2 value - 0.8687). The linear rainfall-runoff relation obtained can be used
for finding out runoff corresponding to any rainfall occurring in the area. Based on rainfallrunoff
relationship and catchment–storage relationship and also looking to the climatic
variations particularly rainfall intensity, duration and frequency in the last decade, the farm
pond sizes for assured rainfall zone of Marathwada region were redesigned and standardized
for further implementation of farm pond programme in the region. The details of farm pond
sizes, storage capacity, the area under protective / supplemental irrigation and area under pond
construction is presented as follows.
Catchment
area
(ha)
Farm pond sizes for assured rainfall zone of Marathwada region
Top
size of
pond
(m x
m)
Bottom
size of
pond
(m x m)
Side
slope
Depth
of
pond
(m)
Capacity Area
of pond under
(m 3 ) irrigation
(ha)
Area
irrigated
%
%
catchment
area under
pond
1.0 21 x 21 12 x 12 1.5 : 1 3 837 1.3 130 4.41
2.0 27 x 27 18 x 18 1.5 : 1 3 1539 2.40 120 7.29
3.0 33 x 33 24 x 24 1.5 : 1 3 2457 3.93 131 10.89
Thus, rainwater harvesting based on catchment- storage relationship created an assured source
of water for providing protective irrigation, particularly during dry spell periods for sustaining
crop productivity to create resilience in rainfed agriculture.
Conclusion
Rainwater harvesting appears to be one of the most promising alternatives for the escalating
demand for fresh water for rainfed agriculture. Rainfall-runoff relationship proved to be the
most valuable information for the identification of runoff potential at any station. The runoff
potential is found to be 28.31 %, indicating a good scope for rainwater harvesting. Farm pond
sizes were standardized for recommendation to State Department of Agriculture for further
implementation of farm pond programme in the region /state.
52 | Page Resilience through land and water management interventions, water management and governance