J&K’s Water conservation initiative of “Polythene Ponds” doubling farmer income

‘Jeevika’ roughly translating to livelihood is enhancing the lives of small and marginal farmers in Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir.

The multipronged strategy was conceptualized by Udhampur’s District Development Commissioner Dr Piyush Singla to store discharge of perennial water bodies in a ‘pond’, made of polythene sheets. The water would then be supplied to the farmers’ fields through a drip irrigation system.

These Polythene ponds would increase the assured irrigation of Agriculture land cultivated by small and marginal farmers while also ensuring a sustainable ecosystem that conserves water. Given the fact that Udhampur district is predominantly agrarian where 80 per cent population resides in rural areas and is dependent upon agriculture as their main source of livelihood, the initiative will enhance the water usage capacity and help in generating sustainable livelihood.

The proposed objective of the project is to double the farmer income. 97 percent of the farming families in the district currently are small and marginal with low income from orthodox farming techniques (Approx Rs 5000/year/kanal).

Before the launch of Jeevika project, Agriculture and Rural Development Department conducted a joint survey to study the feasibility, requirements and willingness of the farmer to participate.

“But since the initiative is essentially from a farmer’s perspective aiming to double their income, they are cooperating and even eager to try these new methods,” said Dr Piyush Singla, the mind behind the project and DDC Udhampur.

Many such projects for facilitating sustainable livelihood for the farmers are being undertaken in different states of India conforming to the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi of doubling farmers’ income by 2022.

Dr Singla also said, “The Project Jeevika offers holistic integration of factors of production. Water conservation is just one aspect of it. Farmers will also be trained in efficient water use through micro irrigation-Drip method and Mulching.”

“We have done things like our forefathers used to do for much of our lives. But that has gotten us nowhere. Changing times call for changing techniques. We also want to improve our production like in Punjab, Haryana and other states. If changing the irrigation techniques will help us earn more for our families, we are ready for it,” said Ram Prasad, a farmer living in Village Jaganoo of District Udhampur.

Another Farmer Nand Lal said, "Initially we would plant fewer vegetables because of limited water available in the fields. But now with larger water avenues, we began extensive plantation of vegetables. Generally, I would make a profit of Rs 20,000- 25,000 earlier but this time I earned around Rs 70,000- 80,000."

The project also promotes Vermi-Compost which leads to healthy soil and enhancing off-season vegetable production- Poly Houses. Several varieties of off-season vegetables which the farmers wouldn’t think of cultivating on their own because of lack of water resources and proper guidance are now common in their agricultural lands.

“After enrolling in the Jeevika scheme, our profits have increased. Even the people from outside buy our harvest since we have off-season vegetables and fruits which they might not find elsewhere,” said a young farmer Jaswinder.

The project ‘Jeevika’ was awarded District National Water Conservation Award from the Jal Shakti Ministry. Udhampur District Development Commissioner Dr Piyush Singla was virtually presented the award by Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu.