Integration of Farm Ponds into the dry-land farming systems. Foundation for Ecological Security

Transcription

1 Integration of Farm Ponds into the dry-land farming systems Upscaling the experiences of Foundation for Ecological Security Madanapalle Andhra Pradesh

2 The Context 1. Recurring drought 2. Depletion of Natural Resources (Soil, Ground water) affecting rural economy. 3. Changes in Agricultural & Animal husbandry practices 4. Limited alternate livelihood opportunities hence, Migration If there is an ailing river, a sick landscape must be the cause

3 Papaagni River Uplands Project, AP

4 Project Area & coverage Working since in Chittoor & Anantapur districts In 185 habitations of which 29 are VSS in Forest Areas Catchments of River Papagni 267,000 Ha. 55,000 ha. consisting of 264 habitations earmarked Commons in the Delineated area Private land 40% Forest 31% Wasteland 29% 60% commons

5 Community Efforts Ecological Restoration Water Biomass & Diversity Soil & Minerals Agriculture & Livelihoods

6 Watershed Uplands/runoff zone Mid-slopes/recharge zone Low-lands/ discharge zone

7 Food Assurance Program-Farm Ponds Construction of farm ponds in three mandals (Thamballapalle, Peddamandem and Mulkalacheruvu) in collaboration with the Panchayat Raj Department. Plan was to address the middle areas between the ridges and the lowlands. To impact moisture regime of a larger landscape, and also aid in groundwater recharge.

8 Contd A total of 40 habitations were covered under the Food Assurance Programme (FAP), spread across 3 Mandals. A total of 343 farm ponds were constructed in farmers have constructed farm ponds on the private lands. Exposure to Tiptur, Karnataka motivated the farmers

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12 Results

13 Results contd More biomass production of trees and crops Groundwater recharge, open and bore-wells Life saving irrigation (location-specific) Fodder security in lean seasons Farm Pond Food Assurance Programme 343 Ponds, Rs. 3 Million

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15 Contd Got filled up more than 5 times in the rainy seasons of 2006, and 2007 respectively. Each filling accumulated 1, 50,000 liters of water. (7,00,000 liters in-total)-343 farm ponds have harvested and recharged 24,0 1,00,000 liters of water. There is visible improvement in the soil moisture, and positive bearing on the productivity of crop and tree biomass.

16 Contd 30% of the farmers have sown vegetables, horticultural plants, fodder grass, fodder trees and others on the farm pond bunds. Have reaped one crop of vegetable that has catered to their domestic consumption and the surplus has been sold in the weekly shanty for 3 months. Scope exists for saturating the mid slopes with farm ponds and also for networking these farm ponds, for maximum impact.

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18 Results contd In kharif only groundnut is grown before farm pond construction. Post construction at least 1/4 acre of land is cultivated with tomato 23 farmers. Tree species of Pongamia, Citrus, Drumstick have been planted and maintained on the bunds-they are still to yield. During Kharif water is almost full and during Rabi water is there for 3/4th of the season. Castor on FP bunds has given an additional income of Rs 700/- to many farmers

19 Contd 4 farmers released 100 fishlings each and got 40 KG each in return In Boyapalli, one farmer has cultivated watermelon on 1 acre of land, by using the water from farm pond and earned profit of Rs 10,000. Two farmers saved their paddy crop from drying using water from the farm pond as life saving irrigation In Burjupalle, one farmer is raising mango in 2 acres (140 plants) with the farm pond water.

20 Scaling up Seeing the impact of Farm Ponds the dist admin Chittoor has replicated the concept of farm pond in the CLD Program. Training of MDTs, and Panchayat bodies. Deputation of the staff from FES to CLRCs- DPR preparation for 111 CLDP blocks. In the DPR FP was the priority number 1 followed by others. (2500 plus farm ponds in the district).

21 Contd Facilitating NREGA in 14 Panchayats and the focus is on the middle areas and farm pond is the priority. Lot of funds are available under the NREGA and convergence of all the other programs is possible for leveraging requisite funds. CRIDA could study this model for strategizing this model in the entire state or some districts of the country. FES can play a role socio and ecological front if invited.

22 So larene rgy Ra infal Bi ogas A a bb asedlu gricult ndagr IOFAR PMo-fores ure try Prote Iriga ctive tion Farm Pond y dslur ste dslurr D igeste Fo fod fue od, der, l Cr presi o m Co e du post ue Cr o M anu re M anu re id ropres C presi du Co m e post C ropres a S ue id vak nje M ilk vak Vege M ilk Vege tables D ige HOME K ITC G HEN ARDEN tables njee a So larene rgy Ra infal Home steadg arden Manu re Li vestoc k C ompo sting S Flow of Resources in a Biofarm Source: Mihir Shah

23 Thank you