Check dams, farm ponds come to rescue of farmers

Ammaladinne (Tadipatri): Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) is yielding good results in the district even as 250 such projects in different stages of implementation appears to be heading to a silent irrigation and bores re-charging revolution, thanks to the initiative of District Water Management Agency(DWMA) in this regard.

Highlights:

• Four check dams, 60 farm ponds built in the 3 villages helped to irrigate more than 1,500 acres of vegetable and horticulture crops
• 50,000 acres have been brought under protective watershed and farm ponds irrigation in the district: DWMA PD
• Rain water stored in the check dams and farm ponds will not only recharge all borewells in the villages but also gives protective irrigation to the crops for three months even if monsoon failed, says IWMP PO Eshwaraiah

As many as 600 farmers in the watershed villages of Ammaladinne, Somannapalle and Uradapalle in Tadipatri mandal are enjoying the fruits of effective water management. The DWMA under the IWMP programme had built 15 check dams which helped irrigate 1,500 acres of mango, Pomegranate, curry leaves, corn maize and johar plantations etc.

Four check dams and 60 farm ponds built in the 3 villages helped irrigate more than 1,500 acres of vegetable and horticulture plantations by effective conservation of rainwater. The recent rains in the region helped arrest rainwater flowing and preserve water in the check dams. The check dams are full of rainwater as well as some farm ponds.

The Ridge-Valley concept of water conservation have not only helped preserve rainwater but also they resulted in re-charging of the nearby borewells and also boost ground water table.

IWMP Project Officer Eshwaraiah told The Hans India that water stored in the check dams and farm ponds in the project area will not only recharge all borewells in the region but also gives protective irrigation to the crops for three months even if monsoon failed.

The crops surrounding the project area also gives moisture to the dry plantation and prevents withering of the crops even in the worst scenario. DWMA Project Director A Nagabhushanam speaking to The Hans India revealed that as many as 250 water conservation projects are in place in the 63 mandals in the district.

Around 15 projects had been completed while another 25 are under implementation and the remaining are in different stages of implementation. As estimated 50,000 acres have been brought under protective watershed and farm ponds irrigation. A silent revolution is sweeping the watershed project areas resulting in saving of dying crops.

Ramagopal, a pomegranate farmer said that his bores in his 10-acre field had been recharged. His dried up borewell again got resurrected after the rains filled the check dams which are teeming with life.

He says that check dams and farm ponds are literally coming to their rescue as they are able to preserve rainwater and even recharge bores and extend protective irrigation to crops at a time when rains are playing truant with the farmers. Even Sitakka, a woman farmer has a similar story to share.

By Ravi P Benjamin