2 weeks ago

Farm Ponds Offer Lifeline to Telangana Farmers Amid Rainfall Deficit

Farm Ponds Offer Lifeline to Telangana Farmers Amid Rainfall Deficit
Farm Ponds Offer Lifeline to Telangana Farmer · deccanchronicle.com

Farmers in Telangana are not getting enough rain this year, which makes it hard to grow their crops.

To help, the government is building small ponds on farms that collect rainwater.

When there is a dry spell, farmers can use this saved water to keep their plants alive.

These ponds are called farm ponds, and they are very helpful for small farmers who cannot afford expensive pumps or wells.

The ponds also give work to local people who help dig them.

A small pond costs about 1.78 lakh rupees and gives work to 40 labourers for 10 days.

The state has already started building thousands of these ponds.

Scientists say there is a very high chance of even drier weather coming, so the ponds are extra important.

The government is also suggesting other ideas like growing crops that need less water and using drip irrigation.

This way, farmers can protect their vegetables, pulses and other crops even when rain is scarce.

Key facts

Rainfall deficit
About 8 per cent; 41 cm received against normal 44.5 cm till mid-August
Districts with highest deficit
12 districts
El Nino probability
98 per cent from August onwards up to March next year (INCOIS)
Cost of a 15m x 15m pond
Rs.1,78,384 (Rs.1,25,136 labour, Rs.53,248 materials)
Employment per pond
406 person-days; 40 labourers for 10 days
State target
50,000 ponds; 3,173 works grounded, 12,619 wage seekers employed
Sites identified under VB-G RAM G and Telangana Jalasiri
4,348 of 13,046 target ponds by July 30; nearly 9,930 wage seekers
Funding
Convergence of Central and state schemes, mainly rural employment guarantee programme; also PMKSY watershed and MIDH

Sources

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