Since the inception of mankind, water has been a precious boon that has quenched the thirst of billions. It is the building block of all creation and the essence of life; a prime of example of the same is our human body itself which constitutes 70% water. However, it is also a resource that is in abundance forming most of the earth and yet greatly scare, which has turned it into the great paradox of our time.
One of the most crucial domains this phenomenon has a direct impact on is agriculture, owing to the diverse crop requirements. As this monsoon has made obvious, India’s rainfall pattern is changing. Sudden downpours and flash floods are becoming more and more common. When this happens, most of the water flows away and is unable to recharge the underground water table. The heavy downpour this year led to a destruction of harvest in August/September; however it has not led to a recharge of the water table, so unless farmers conserve this water they will be dependent on tankers by January again.
Thus, conserving water by capturing this water surplus is critical for the rural economy and India is filled with lustrous examples of the same. One way to conserve water on farms is by creating ponds. For example, Tata Steel and Rural Development Society (a non-profit organization) created 800 ponds in the Kolhan region of Jharkhand that not only led to additional water for irrigation, but also created a source of other income through avenues such as fisheries. There are also specialized linings available that help algal growth and create a natural environment for improved fish cultivation, such as Avana’s Jalasanchay Super.
Some indispensable tools to further aid in the efficient management of conserved water include switching to drip irrigation, and modern measures such as IoT sensors and computerized systems, but such products need to be made more accessible and affordable.
Since rural India is dependent on the rainwater to ensure a smooth crop yield, water management is not just an extremely integral tool to ensure nobody goes thirsty, but also directly responsible for the livelihood of agrarian economies, as well as the food and grains we consume. It is the key to ensure a secure future for the world, and to safeguard farmers against the devastating effects of water scarcity.
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