Novel initiatives help these farmers to harvest hope

Farmers have taken upon themselves the task of desilting the tanks and thereby increase the groundwater level, with help from the staff of the Jalasamvardhane Yojane (JSY). The farmers have also involved themselves in afforestation programmes to increase the green cover.

Residents rejuvenate

Bodampalli, 33 km from Chintamani, is home to 148 families and has a literacy level of 51 per cent. M P Sundar, the communication expert of JSY, said the rejuvenation activities of the Lakshminarasimhaswamy tank are being undertaken through an association of the village residents.

He said there was judicious utilisation of funds under JSY, with income generating activities.

The village residents say that desilting tanks and feeder canals are part of the programme. Efforts are also on to construct stone canals to ensure the smooth flow of water to the farmers’ fields.

Another key component of the village residents’ initiative is desilting the 20 open wells and 30 borewells, so that they fill to the brim during rain. The farmers have taken up the tree planting programme also in right earnest. Saplings costing a total of Rs 28,750, including those of ‘honge’ and ‘nerale’ have already been planted in the village.

Unique practice

There is another unique agricultural practice called ‘Damosi’ in the village. Fields downstream of the tank do not get water whenever the level goes down in the tank.

During such situations, farmers on the banks of the tank let half the portion of the total area of their fields for cultivation to the farmers downstream as a goodwill gesture. Most farmers involve themselves in the ‘Damosi’ method of cultivation.

“We are growing paddy twice a year with water from the rejuvenated tanks. We shift to the ‘Damosi’ method whenever there is a fall in the water levels in the tank,” said Konappa, a village resident.