Answer: 

Introduction:

Watershed is a geo-hydrological unit of land, which collects water and drains it through a common point. Watershed management basically involves storage and recharge of groundwater through various methods like percolation tanks, recharge wells and artificial ponds. The Government launched Integrated Watershed Development Program (IWDP) and National Watershed Development Program for Rainfed Areas (NWDPRA) with the help of the World Bank.

In 2015, the Ministry of Rural Development and World Bank signed a loan agreement to consolidate these initiatives under “Neeranchal National Watershed Project (NWP)”.

Body:

Impact of watershed project in increasing agricultural production:

• Water conservation: The NWP has helped to conserve water through the construction of check dams, contour trenches, and other water harvesting structures. This has helped to increase the availability of water for agricultural purposes, leading to increased agricultural production.
• Soil conservation: The NWP has also helped to conserve soil through the promotion of measures such as terracing, contouring, and mulching. This has helped to reduce soil erosion, improve soil health, and increase agricultural productivity.
• Multiple cropping season: The water availability through irrigation measures like canals, nullahs etc have ensured that farmers are able to sow crops in the dry season as well. They no longer have to be dependent on rainfall for agriculture.
  • Example: Tamil Nadu farmers can grow three crops in a year mainly due to extensive canal irrigation.
• Livelihoods: The NWP has contributed to the livelihoods of rural communities by increasing agricultural production and providing employment opportunities through the construction of water harvesting structures and other activities related to watershed development.
• Environmental sustainability: The NWP has contributed to environmental sustainability by promoting sustainable agriculture practices, reducing soil erosion, and conserving water resources.
• Transformation of dry patches of land to vibrant farms and plantations. For example, Thummachennupalle watershed in Chittoor district was transformed into a community-owned orchard after NABARD implemented Neeranchal. When completed, NWP will convert 12% of wasteland into arable land.
• Policy and institutional support: The NWP has also been successful in leveraging policy and institutional support, such as the participation of local communities and the integration of watershed development into government schemes like MGNREGA and KUSUM. Panchayati Raj institutions play a major role in it.
• Additional benefits: Better availability of water and green fodder will improve the milk yield of the cattle.

Conclusion:

This is an inclusive concept wherein decentralization, community participation and holistic approach are being applied in the areas of watershed management region to eliminate the inter-regional differences, to enhance food and nutrition security and to enhance land and water resource management. NWP has indeed helped increase farming output from different parts of the country, especially the water deficient regions. This is a major step towards sustainable and profitable farming. This will go a long way in ensuring double farmers income by 2022.

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