Jharkhand State Watershed mission -Tomato Cultivation
Watershed Mission is the process of creating and implementing plans, programs, and projects to sustain and enhance watershed functions that affect the plant, animal, and human communities within a watershed boundary. Features of a watershed that agencies seek to manage include water supply, water quality, drainage, storm water runoff, water rights, and the overall planning and utilization of watersheds. Landowners, land use agencies, storm water management experts, environmental specialists, water use purveyors and communities all play an integral part in the management of a watershed.
Jharkhand is the land of trees, herbs, shrubs and varieties of bio-diversity with undulated topography and different land use pattern. Jharkhand is the ideal state to be taken up under Watershed Development Programme. Therefore, the Government of Jharkhand under the Rural Development Department has registered a State Level Nodal Agency as Jharkhand State Watershed Mission (JSWM) on 17/07/2009 under Society Registration Act 21, 1860 for implementation of Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) under Common Guidelines for Watershed Development Projects, Govt. of India 2008. The Government of Jharkhand has taken initiative under the new guidelines for implementation of watershed projects in the state.
Shri Suvyo Nayan Sardar is a farmer of Village-Chanmpi, P.O-Khairpal, Block-Potka, Thana- Kovali, Dist- East Singhbhum, Pin-831002. The famers of Chanmpi village usually cultivates paddy and leave their land bare in other seasons. However sandy loam soil of the village is very fertile and favorable for all crops and vegetables cultivation. In this condition Sri Sardar decided to do something new to get production throughout the year. Shri Sardar has three acres of land that he and his wife cultivated. The cultivation was done in rainfed conditions. The paddy production was below average because the standing crops wilted. The wilting happened due to lack of timely availability of water for paddy which was due to erratic rainfall. Sardar was very disappointed and helpless as he had no idea what can be done to improve the paddy production. The watershed development programme came to his village. He shows his interest in this program and meets to committee experts and shares his problem with them. The watershed committee informed him that his income from agriculture can improve if dug out pond is developed in his land to store water for irrigation. Sardar followed their suggestions and didn’t believe that this activity can improve his income. He could see the changes happen within a year. The rain water was stored in the dugout pond that provided his sufficient water for irrigation not only in the kharif season but also in the rabi season. With the irrigation, the paddy production was doubled. The crops got water at the appropriate time. In failed rains, water was available for cultivating the crops. He also cultivated the fallow lands in the rabi season. This was not possible earlier as irrigation facilities then were not available. He began cultivating vegetables tomatoes. He adopted lasted faming technology i.e use of hybrid seed followed by timely dose of micronutrients, pesticides and insecticides with irrigation system. Now he become largest individual tomatoes produce of his village. Selling the produce, he increased his annual income from Rs. 40,000/- to Rs. 75,000/-. Sardar never believed that watershed development programme can increase his income unless he saw the results for himself. Shri Sardar now has enough paddy and vegetables to feed his family well and provide his family with nutritious food. He is having surplus paddy that he and his wife sells in the market. He thanks the watershed development programme for improving his income. Now he regularly attains awareness and training program organized by the watershed mission. He wants to upgrade his farming system for more product enhancement and for that he always stay in touch with watershed experts and time to time get advice from them. He is now a source of inspiration for all the other farmers of the locality who’s are learning the things for improving their livelihood.
Shri Sardar said that farmers should store water near to their field and should get cultivation in all season. Along with the water harvesting technology they should also adopt new farming technology. Small farmers should cultivate vegetables too along with paddy and production should be as per demand by local market so that they can sell their cultivar for more profit.
Now days Shri Sardar always say to other farmer and villagers ………………….
“ जल संचय का है यही इरादा
हरा भरा खेत और मुनाफा ज्यादा “
