Facing water scarcity in Talla Bapru village, Jeevanti Devi joined the Farmer Interest Group supported by S M Sehgal Foundation. With no irrigation source, her family depended on rainfall, limiting their cultivated area. Understanding her need, the group constructed a farm pond on her field, providing a reliable water source. This artificial reservoir overcomes water scarcity, allowing year-round cultivation and increasing crop diversity. Similar initiatives benefited farmers like Bhawan Singh and Keshav Dutt, enhancing their income and enabling them to cultivate more food crops. The Focused Development Program’s farm pond interventions uplift barren agricultural land, ensuring sustainable income for farmers in Champawat.
What Are Farm Ponds?
Shet tale, meaning “water storage,” involves constructing small to medium-sized ponds within agricultural fields. These ponds, designed for rainwater harvesting, offer numerous benefits to farmers, the environment, and India’s agriculture in general.
India’s agriculture uses more than 80% of the country’s freshwater. Climate change is making things challenging for farmers who depend on groundwater to protect their crops from unpredictable weather. The Water Resources Group warns that by 2030, this looming crisis could be the worst in India’s history and will hit agriculture hard. It’s urgent to find ways to manage water better and adopt practices that will handle the changing climate to save our crops.
How Farm Ponds Aid Agricultural Development In India
To address water-related challenges, Indian farmers are adopting innovative solutions, such as creating farm ponds. These ponds are becoming increasingly popular nationwide and are vital for managing water resources and promoting agricultural sustainability.
Ways that Farm ponds (shet tale) improve agricultural development:
Rainwater Harvesting
The primary purpose is to capture and store rainwater, particularly during the monsoon, which provides a crucial resource for irrigation during dry periods and reduces reliance on groundwater.
Groundwater Recharge
Allowing rainwater to permeate the ground, a shet tale contributes to groundwater recharge that is essential for sustaining borewells and other wells during water-scarce months.
Crop Diversification
Consistent water availability allows farmers to diversify crops and experiment with high-value, water-intensive varieties that increase income and ensure food security.
Climate Resilience
A shet tale acts as a buffer against climate change, helping farmers cope with droughts and water scarcity and enhance overall resilience.
Livestock Management
The stored water serves livestock for consumption and bathing and promotes the health and well-being of farm animals.
Fish Farming
Some farmers utilize a shet tale for fish farming, creating an additional income source and a protein-rich food supply.
Initiatives by the Indian Government To Reduce The Impact Of Water Scarcity On Agricultural Development
- Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) improves water use efficiency and expand irrigated areas.
- Har Khet Ko Pani (Every Field a Watering Hole) provides end-to-end solutions for water storage, distribution, and efficient water use.
- “Per Drop More Crop” encourages efficient water use in agriculture through technologies such as drip and sprinkler irrigation.
- National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) promotes sustainable agricultural practices, including water-use efficiency.
- Atal Bhujal Yojana focuses on sustainable management of groundwater resources to ensure water availability for future generations.
Creating more farm ponds will transform Indian agriculture by offering a sustainable answer to water scarcity and promoting crop diversity. With increasing awareness and government backing, these water-harvesting structures are crucial to India’s farming practices. To enhance agricultural development in India and mitigate the impact of water scarcity on farmers, the expertise and efforts of leading rural development NGOs bring meaningful values by ensuring effective execution and positive impacts on communities.
The Top Sustainable Rural Development NGO In India
For a quarter century, S M Sehgal Foundation has been dedicated to improving rural life in India. As the leading sustainable rural development NGO in India, this public charitable trust has a skilled and passionate team working on programs to address crucial challenges in rural areas.
The focus on community-driven development initiatives positively changes rural India’s social, economic, and environmental aspects. The ultimate goal is to empower every person in rural India by providing them with the tools to lead secure, prosperous, and dignified lives.
-
calls at the Citizen Information and Support Center
-
community leaders trained
-
check dams/nala bunds constructed
-
ponds developed and rejuvenated
-
schools with rainwater harvesting structures
-
crop demonstrations improve farm practices
-
acres covered with drip/sprinkler irrigation
-
schoolchildren benefited by school transformation
About the Author
Mr. Ajay Nigaltiya
Field assistant, S M Sehgal Foundation
Ajay Nigaltiya is a dedicated field assistant working in Champawat, associated with S M Sehgal Foundation. With a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Ajay is deeply committed to uplifting farming communities in the region. His primary focus is promoting Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) within the Champawat district.
Contact us 
Sign up for