Building of small checkdams by using bamboo and soil to store rainwater during monsoon is described.
Sr. Biraj sarkar a young farmer has been cultivating 14 bigha of land. He raises paddy during monsoon season. After the harvest of paddy crop he raises vegetables in the summer season. He has to walk long distances to fetch well water. There are nullahs cut across field from upland to low land region. Therse nullahs are filled with water during the time of rainy season but practically dry immediate after the rainfall. Therefore, he thought of building small dam by using bamboo and soil so that he can store rain water received during summer or fag end of monsoon. He discussed this matter with other farmers and most of them are tenant farmers owning about 14 bigha of land. They agreed to contribute theri resources. Seven farmers who have lands nearby nallah formed informal 1 group and constructed 3 check dams across the nullahs. They used bamboo mats. Two bamboo mats of about 12 feet length 6 feet height were placed at 1 feet distance. The space in between the two bamboo mats has been filled with soil. They anchored with bamboo poles on either side. Even it was able to store water there were technical defects. Improving the check dam construction These check dams constructed were damaged when the water flow received is larger. There are also no provision for safe discharge of excess water from the upland side. The original structures were damaged due to excess water which either break the dam are collapses the structure by over flowing water and dissolves. The earthen material filled in between the layers of bamboo mat. The height of check dam was also not conducive the the flow of water received. By consultation with scientists of CARI they inserted bamboo pipes at the top of the check dam for safe passage of water. The design also improved by increasing the width upto 1.1/2 ft in between the 2 bamboo mats. The improved check dams are able to hold more water and are very strong. Community members replicated this new model in another 2 places. By seeings the Community initiatives of the Oglapur branch village the CARI scientists initiated Lab to Land programme for demonstration of improved farming practices in that village. By using these check dams the farmers are able to take water, which is stored naturally through off season showers. The water lasts till march and farmers carry water manually by using buckets or using oil engine for irrigation their vegetable crops raised during summer. By this way they are able to raise summer crops successfully thanks to the knowledge value added in the initial community efforts attempted under the leadersip of Biraj sarkar.
Source: http://farmer.gov.in
