Agriculture livelihood through Diversion Based Irrigation
With the support of Jamsetji TATA Trust (JTT), Mumbai, the organization has continued a livelihood intervention, captioned “Sustainable Agriculture Livelihood through Diversion based Irrigation” The task incepted since March 2009 and continuing.

THE CONTEXT

The project “Sustainable Agriculture Livelihood through diversion based irrigation” was designed and implemented last year in Podakhala village & Ghasiamba village of Digapahandi Block in Ganjam district and Daa Baada village under Gajpati district. This year we have implemented one program in Alara & Krushnapur village under Gajpati district. These, five villages are thickly tribal dominated and almost covered by the hilly terrain.

The all most all population of the villages is farmer. Due to lack of irrigation facilities they lost their interest on agriculture and depending on local forest resources and became agriculture/daily labours. However, the poor tribal who are living near the foot hill do have access to some natural/perennial streams, but they do not have any means to extract that for agricultural purpose. Moreover, they do have small patches of land which is not suitable for any major irrigation project.

Through this project intervention - GPSS identified 14 numbers of such perennial streams which could be used to ensure minor irrigation for nearby lands. This resulted in ensuring those lands being turned to be suitable for multi cropping by simply streamlining utilization of local available resources – that too throughout the year.

This effort could not only helped retaining the runoff water for best use in agriculture but also helped retaining the silt at ground level which could be further used for fertility of lands GPSS helped bringing water by pipes and channeled to irrigate the land available for cultivation at the base of the hill.

This facility to the villages with no burden of extra expenditure on fuel or power could ensure instant result and could multiple the interest and involvement of stakeholders in true sense. In case of Rabi cultivation this process will certainly be more beneficial. Pilot efforts have already been undertaken. Through this effort, 100 acres of land could be irrigated which includes some agricultural waste lands and helped a lot in improving the livelihoods of poor tribal.

Eventual Results

Developed linkage with Agriculture department to explore possible schemes available for the poor/marginalized farmers.
Mobilized the farmers to introduce improved agricultural practices like SRI and kitchen garden/ improved vegetable cultivation in DaaBada &Ghasiamba village and in Podakhal back yard of every house hold.
Provided training on water management, maintenance of water supply system and to apply bio composting &bio pesticides instead of chemical fertilizer& pesticides .
Provided water facility for safe drinking and domestic use through pipeline to every house hold besides of irrigation to the agriculture land.
1.Incremental income of Rs.7000 per annum per family .
2. Productivity of paddy will be at least 2 fold as of now.
3. The farming community will remain engaged in farming throughout the year.
4. Forest based livelihood will shift to agriculture based livelihood.
Insured lives of beneficiaries of all three villages through TATA AIG life insurance Co. Limited and received compensation claimed against two death cases.


Future Plan

Witnessing the best ever result from this demonstrative efforts – GPSS has decided to undertake the following in future :
Introduce cash crops/high yielding crops like System Rice Intensification (SRI), Groundnut and vegetable in plotted land and to develop the crops like Maize, vegetable and possible fruit bearing trees in Padar lands.
Develop linkages with the line departments as Agriculture, (ATMA) Horticulture and Blocks to explore possible schemes/improved agriculture technology for poor farmers.
Make independent of the farmers community we will initiate the farmer’s club/Male SHG concept in the project villages for support linkages from NABARD, Banks and Odisha agro Industries Corporation etc. for sustaining agriculture livelihood programs. Similarly the group will take responsibility to maintain the DBI project in coming years .
Develop Kitchen garden/back yard plantation in every house hold of the project villages by utilizing domestic use waste water for ensuring healthy hygiene and nutrition.
Develop linkage with Agriculture department to explore possible schemes available for the poor/marginalized farmers.