Sundargarh: The Odisha government has a policy called ‘Irrigated Farmlands, Empowered Farmers’. Based on it the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA), Sundargarh, has operationalised various programmes for farmers’ welfare in this district. To provide irrigation facilities to the lands, farm ponds and ring wells are being dug on the plots of farmers. This has greatly benefited tribal farmers in the area. Sundargarh district is full of hills and forests.
Locals in the area engage in various types of cultivation. But, they are largely dependent on rain water. Hence irregular rainfall leads to a poor harvest and for the farmers the only way out is irrigation. In such circumstances, the farm ponds and ring wells dug on farmers’ lands have helped ensure adequate water supply to the fields. The programme is operational in nine blocks of the district under the command area of ITDA. “Various initiatives are being implemented by ITDA towards the welfare of tribal farmers. Irrigation is one among the significant programmes undertaken by ITDA. The beneficiaries are identified under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) and subsequently, farm ponds and ring wells are being dug in the beneficiaries’ land. Employment for local villagers is also generated through creation of man days under MGNREGS,” said project administrator, ITDA, Ramkrishna Gond.
Between FY 2020-21 to FY 2022- 23, a total of 47 farm ponds have been dug up. Similarly, 85 ring wells have also been dug during the same period. Farmers apply for farm ponds and ring wells through the Gram Sabha. Once the proposal is passed by the Gram Sabha, ITDA officials visit the field to identify potential beneficiaries. “Earlier, we were hugely dependent on rain water for cultivation. But now, a farm pond has been dug in my field. This has greatly lessened my worries regarding cultivation. Using water from the pond, I can now cultivate various vegetables. I sell the produce in the local market and earn a decent income,” said Dileswar Pradhan, a farmer from Magarkunda village in Lephripara block. “With support of ITDA, Sundargarh, I have dug a ring well in my farm. Now, I can easily fetch water for my fields from the well.
My irrigation woes have been resolved now,” said Chumki Naik, a woman farmer from Bhagapali village in Subdega block. Sundargarh farmers engage in various types of vegetable and cash crop cultivation apart from food grains. The farm ponds and ring wells dug in their fields have largely benefited tribal farmers in the district. Additionally, the irrigation programme has also helped recharge the receding ground water level while also aiding in soil conservation.