Major Ongoing Programmes
Improvised Chuans For Irrigation
A pilot project for adapting chuans (traditional shallow
wells) for use in irrigating vegetable crops during the
Rabi season is being carried out by AFPRO. This project
is supported by SDC (Swiss Agency for Development and
Cooperation) and concentrates in selected villages in
Khurda and Nayagarh district through partner
organizations VIKASHDHARA
at
and NISWARTHA respectively.
The traditional chuan is being lined with concrete for
sustainability. For irrigation, water is being lifted
out of this well using either a treadle pump or a
traditional lever based water lifting device called
tenda. Recharge pits have also been suggested
upstream. This is usually successful in high water table
areas such as riverbeds or the downstream side of water
retaining bodies. Each chuan is usually shared by 3- 4
small farmers. They are encouraged to cultivate low
water consuming crops.
Successful vegetable cultivation by the farmers in
village Kodiakahania in NISWARTHA sets a model for
replication. The need to use the water for vegetable
cultivation on sharing and not for higher water
requirement crops such as sugarcane calls for intensive
convincing and motivation of farmers.
In
the villages of VIKASDHARA the learning on selection of
right beneficiaries from Kantabada and on site
feasibility in Bhola forced selection of new villages
and beneficiaries to meet the criteria,
(Field Unit : Bhubaneswar, Orissa)
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