100 check dams in six days, at zero cost: Nashik farmers unite against drought

If the rains fail this year, where will standing crops get their water? And how can the water that runs off in the monsoon be put to use in the summer? With El Niño conditions this year, holding back every drop of water will matter. That is why Shenwad Budruk village in Nashik’s Igatpuri taluka took a big step: 100 vanrai bandharas, small check dams, were built in just six days. What is more, the work was done with the materials at hand and voluntary labour, at no cost at all.

The whole effort was led by 13 farmers of the ‘Sanjivani Shetkari Gat’, a farmers’ group taking part in Paani Foundation’s ‘Farmer Cup’ competition. While trying new methods in their own farming, they felt the need, with the rains so uncertain, to do something for the village too. Inspired by Paani Foundation’s ‘Netritva Samvad’ (leadership dialogue) programme in September, they set themselves the goal of building 100 check dams.

The group’s mentor, assistant agriculture officer Shivcharan Kokate, says: “The idea was to stop the water rushing down the hills and valleys, let it soak into the ground and have it available for farming when it is needed. Where soil and sand were available, we planned dams of sacks; where they were not, dams of the stones at hand.”

Then the real work began. Sacks were collected free of charge from building sites. The families of the group’s farmers and other farmers in the village lent a hand. In all, about 50 people came together, and the 100 check dams were completed in stages.

The benefit showed from the very first dam. Kondaji Gilande, a farmer in the group, says: “When we built the first dam, the okra in the neighbouring field was drying up. Water had never collected there before, but once the dam was built the farmer brought an engine the same day and watered his field. That helped save the okra crop.”

The check dams will now help keep water in the streams for longer, keep the soil in the area moist and provide water for cattle in the summer. The water can also be used for crops such as gram and jowar in the coming rabi season.

Through the 100 vanrai check dams, the farmers have shown in practice what collective effort can do.