News and Articles

Tank Development - Design and features
A write up on building tanks for water conservation and storage Posted on 15 Sep, 2009 02:11 PM

If the intention is to develop a tank by holding back a large amount of water, then the dam must be carefully designed (with the assistance of experienced local people or engineers).

How to create check dams for water conservation
A series of pictures that show one farmer’s success with building a percolation tank just upstream of a series of check-dams. Posted on 15 Sep, 2009 01:07 PM

In addition to controlling gully erosion, check dams also serve to slow the movement of water, allowing increased percolation into the soil. Just above a check dam is a good place to put in a percolation structure. Silt that builds up behind the dam creates good farmland, which can be planted after the rains while it retains moisture. The following series of pictures show one farmer’s success with building a percolation tank just upstream of a series of check-dams.

How to control gully erosion
A brief on methods for controlling gully erosion Posted on 15 Sep, 2009 12:58 PM

Gully ProblemOver the years, unchecked soil erosion can lead to the formation of deeper and deeper gullies. There are several methods for controlling gully erosion, which can be chosen depending on the materials available.

Vegetative Strips

 

If it is a small gully, vegetation can be planted in strips across the gully to slow the velocity of water, trap silt, and prevent further erosion.

Techniques to slow runoff and erosion from steeply sloping land
An in depth analysis on the techniques useful for areas with high rainfall, steep slopes, and thin soils Posted on 15 Sep, 2009 12:37 PM

Techniques for Steeply Sloping LandThese techniques are useful to slow runoff and erosion from sloping land, and also to revegetate degraded areas. Areas with high rainfall, steep slopes, and thin soils should use slightly graded bunds / terraces / trenches to allow some drainage.

Tips for using bunds in cultivated Land
Benefits of using bunds in cultivated lands and the vegetation/ trees to be grown on it Posted on 15 Sep, 2009 12:06 PM

Bunds have many benefits, including marking the boundaries of farm-holdings, slowing the movement of soil and water, and providing a place for integrating trees into agricultural systems. Here are some tips for using bunds within farmland:

  • Cattle should be kept away from the area while establishing saplings, by using livehedge fencing. Cactus, Euphorbia spp, and Agave are useful for a livehedge fence.
  • Larger trees can be planted on boundary bunds, and smaller trees which will be harvested more frequently can be planted on internal bunds, which divide one holding into separate sections.
How to restore highly degraded lands
A brief on how rocks maybe utilised to protect existing stumps from browsing and allow regeneration Posted on 15 Sep, 2009 11:51 AM

In places where the land is too degraded for agriculture and the soil is too shallow for bunding, rocks can be used to protect existing stumps from browsing and allow regeneration. Rock fences can also be used to protect areas planted with fodder species. Hardy, drought tolerant trees such as neem, tamarind, custard apple, acacia, and eucalyptus can be planted.

Pitcher irrigation - A method that uses round earthen containers for growing saplings
A brief on the technique for creating slow release of water below the ground, minimizing evaporation losses and risk of salinization. Posted on 15 Sep, 2009 11:46 AM

Pitcher irrigationIt is similar to drip irrigation, but less expensive to install. The pitchers are the round earthen containers used in rural areas for water storage, ranging from 10 to 20 liters in capacity. This kind of irrigation is ideal for spreading plants such as gourd, pumpkin, and melon because few pitchers are needed per unit area. It is also very good irrigation for saplings, promoting deep root growth.

Agronomic measures in dryland agriculture: An overview
An information kit on the agronomic measures in dryland agriculture Posted on 15 Sep, 2009 10:39 AM

Agronomic Measures in Dryland Agriculture
Soil and water conservation measures consist of agronomical and mechanical methods. Agronomic methods are supported with mechanical measures where land slope exceeds permissible limits and runoff gains erosive velocities.

The following boxes explain the nature of agronomic measures which are essential in inter-bunded or terraced areas. These practices enhance the utility value of all kinds of mechanical structures.

How to catch rainwater where it falls - An intoduction
A manual -for anyone who wants to make good use of rainwater wherever it falls in the landscape. Posted on 14 Sep, 2009 04:39 PM

 Perhaps you are a farmer and you want to practice good water and soil management for your crops and trees, or you own some land and you want to manage it carefully to recharge the groundwater. You may be focusing on what you can do with your own land, or wondering what your community can do, or you may even be thinking at the watershed level.

Rural schools in Rajasthan -The Barefoot College experience
Best Practices in Water Management-Case Studies from Rural India-2005 German Agro Action, 2005
Posted on 12 Sep, 2009 04:27 PM



In 2003, the Ministry of Water Resources sanctioned a pilot project to harvest rainwater in 100 rural schools across 13 states in the country through 20 village Community Based Organizations (CBOs). The project aimed to provide adequate water for drinking and sanitation by collecting rainwater from the roof tops of school buildings and storing this in underground water tanks. The Barefoot College, Tillonia outlines the simple and low cost traditional technique which can serve as a permanent sweet drinking water source for school children in rural areas.

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