Blending solar technology and traditional wells to tackle water scarcity in Bundelkhand

By Bharat Dogra 

Several recent initiatives in the Jaitpur block of Mahoba district in Uttar Pradesh to reduce water scarcity and irrigation costs have produced very encouraging results by combining new technologies with the protection of traditional water sources.

In Laadpur village, a solar pumping set now provides irrigation to 54 acres of land belonging to 11 beneficiary households. Earlier, these farmers depended on diesel pumping sets, and due to the high expenses involved, they were unable to irrigate their land optimally. Now, they are able to irrigate and cultivate more effectively. On the farm of one of the beneficiaries located closest to the solar pumping set, additional vegetables were already being grown.

Based on quick on-site calculations, it is estimated that, on average, each family saves about ₹13,500 annually in diesel expenses. This means that the 11 farmers together save approximately ₹1,50,000 every year. As some additional farmers also use water informally, the total annual savings can be estimated at around ₹1,75,000.

The cost of the solar pumping set is ₹3,50,000. In other words, the entire investment is recovered within just two years in terms of diesel costs avoided. The benefits from improved cultivation are additional. In this case, SRIJAN has met the bulk of the expenses. In other cases, if farmers purchase the system on their own, they can avail a 50 per cent government subsidy, enabling them to recover their investment within just one year.

There are also additional benefits in terms of climate change mitigation due to the avoidance of fossil fuel consumption.

This solar community irrigation unit has been installed by the voluntary organisation SRIJAN under the Parivartan initiative of HDFC Bank. It is a 7.5 HP unit consisting of 15 panels. Being a higher-capacity unit, it is able to provide some irrigation even on less sunny and somewhat cloudy days, when a smaller-capacity unit would not function effectively.

Aman Dikshit of SRIJAN informed that all beneficiaries make a small financial contribution. They then form a water user group to plan their irrigation schedules in a mutually cooperative manner. Mohammad Arif, a field representative of SRIJAN, explained that the solar unit has been installed in a way that enables it to withstand adverse weather conditions such as high winds. Uttam Rajput, a member of a beneficiary household and caretaker of the unit, said that it has been a major blessing for farmers in the area.

The water for this system comes from a traditional well located nearby, which requires some renovation work. This is planned to be taken up soon under the project’s wider renovation programme. Over 200 traditional wells that were in various stages of damage have already been renovated under this initiative. According to Ananya Mohanty, a member of the SRIJAN team, the well renovation programme has been particularly useful. Pooja, who regularly visits farmers in the area, said that the initiative has been greatly appreciated in villages. In this village as well as in others, several impressive examples of these efforts can be seen.

A well belonging to Gita and Raghvendra is a good example of a damaged well that has now been properly restored. A wall about three feet high has been raised around it to prevent contamination, particularly during the rainy season. Separate spaces have been created for animals to drink water, and for bathing and washing clothes. A small surface storage has also been developed so that children, in particular, can splash around safely. A proper enclosure for the pumping set has been constructed, and the surrounding area has been stabilised.

Another example comes from Bijauri village, where the well belonging to Puranlal and Mamta has been renovated. This well was located in a place where cattle coming down a slope could fall into it. Puranlal said that over the years there had been around 10 such incidents, causing serious problems. As part of the renovation work, the wall has now been raised to prevent this from happening again, along with other improvements. In addition, farmers in this village have benefited from other SRIJAN initiatives, including the renovation of an existing check dam, construction of a new check dam, land levelling, and the preparation of field bunds.

In Rikwaha village, the well belonging to Hira Devi has been renovated, and as a leader in natural farming, she has used this opportunity to strengthen her farming practices. According to Jyoti, a SRIJAN team member, Hira Devi has played a particularly important role in advancing such initiatives in the village. Rikwaha has emerged as a leader in the well renovation effort, with nearly 22 wells in various stages of disrepair having been renovated. Beneficiary households have also contributed their own share of funds, indicating how important these works are to them. In some cases, their contribution has exceeded that of SRIJAN, which is typically around ₹25,000 per well.

In Budhwara village, which includes some hilly areas, a watershed approach has been adopted to implement a series of water conservation measures. These include the renovation of a check dam and the construction of two gabion structures. Villagers, including panchayat members, have praised the tireless efforts of the SRIJAN team, particularly field representative Dinesh Kumar. They noted that work continued even in extremely cold and inhospitable weather. According to Dhiraj Kumar, Project Manager at SRIJAN, the most significant outcome in this village has been the overall improvement in the water situation and the rise in the water table, rather than benefits limited to individual households. As a result, some land that was previously uncultivated has now been brought under cultivation.

In water channels, or nalas, nearly 38 standardized storage structures known as dohas have been created to allow rainwater to remain in the channels for much longer periods. Together, these measures have ensured greater access to water over extended durations and have raised water levels in wells and other sources.

Across its water-related initiatives in 50 villages of the Jaitpur block, SRIJAN, with the support of Parivartan, has created 406 dohas, installed 14 solar lift irrigation pumps, constructed 22 gabion structures and two check dams, renovated 11 check dams, and restored over 200 wells. In addition, 214 sprinkler sets provided to farmers have significantly improved irrigation efficiency and water conservation. The construction of field bunds has also made an important contribution to conserving water, while five ponds have been de-silted and cleaned. Taken together, these efforts have played a crucial role in reducing water scarcity and providing much-needed relief to people living in a water-stressed region.

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The writer is Honorary Convener, Campaign to Save Earth Now. His recent books include India’s Quest for Sustainable Farming and Healthy Food, A Day in 2071, Planet in Peril, and Man over Machine