FARMER'S NOTEBOOK

Where there is a will, there is a way, says a Tiruchi voluntary organisation

— Photo: M.J. Prabu

Silent impact: Villagers of Kongathiraiyanpatti along with Ostwald (sitting) and J. Poppy (standing far right).

A depleting water table and an unsure monsoon brings any agricultural activity to a grinding halt.

“Especially, when changes in the regular seasons are a common occurrence today, future agriculture depends much on water conservation and usage,” says Mr. Ostwald Quintal, Director, Kudumbam (an organisation for rural development), Tiruchi , Tamil Nadu.

A visit to Kongathiraiyanpatti village (40 km from Pudukottai in Tamil Nadu) shows how water conservation along with tree planting helped prevent farmers from migrating to towns and rebuild their lives.

Basically a rainfed area, the farmers grew paddy and groundnut. Around 35 wells in the village catered to both drinking and irrigation needs.

But withthe monsoon playing truant, many found it difficult to maintain their crops and families and started migrating in search of work.

In desperation, some of them started selling their lands at a throwaway price before leaving.

“Strangely the local administration did not take notice of this and failed to chalk out a strategy to prevent this migration,” says Mr. Ostwald.

Kudumbam visited the village to get first hand details on the conditions prevailing there.

“We noticed vast areas of land left fallow for want of water. The area in and around the village (about 500 acres) was totally dry, the surface soil hard and trees literally absent. During summer (May-June) we could not find even a single tree to sit under for shade,” says Mrs. J. Poppy, Deputy Director, Dryland Agriculture, Kudumbam.

“On interacting with the villagers we realised that they did not know the importance of water conservation or growing trees.

In fact many of the villagers had laughed at Kudumbam representatives chiding them that the village did not have water to grow crops while Kudumbam people wanted them to grow trees.

“After several visits, the organisation managed to convince the villagers on the importance of tree growing and the need for conserving water.

“We emphasised that, instead of growing the same paddy or groundnut, they should start growing millets and pulses which are ideal for dry areas,” explains Mrs. Poppy.

Once the villagers got convinced, about seven groups were formed initially. Each group consisted of 14 members out of which seven were women.

These members were entrusted with the task of bringing the entire village to work in about 500 acres.

In about4-5 years, the villagers completed digging several farm ponds and desilting existing inlet canals to tanks.

The next step involved discussions with them on what type of trees should be planted on the pond bunds, around the fields, and along the roadsides.

Based on the villagers’ suggestions, several fruit and timber trees were planted. The group members took care of the planted seedlings during the initial stages. In about 5-6 years, the village transformed from a dry barren land to a more productive zone.

“We found that after watershed implementation, the yield of crops (millets and pulses) increased from 25 to 30 per cent. We also found that a number of old and destitute widows were struggling to lead a decent life in the village.

“With a view to helping the widows lead a respectable life we decided to set up small nurseries in the village.

The old widows were formed into groups of seven and entrusted the care of the nurseries. The revenue from the nurseries provided them economic independence,” says Mr. Ostwald.

“I am now respected by my family and am not dependant on them for money as I am able to earn nearly Rs.1,000 a month from the nursery,” says Mrs. S. Silambayi, a beneficiary widow. All the widows voice the same opinion.

Almost all the farmers in the village agree that the work done by a voluntary organisation, spending its own money, should have been done by the local administration.

Sadly it has turned a blind eye to the problem and now, what should have been a nearly empty village comes alive with activity.

For more information and a visit to the village readers can contact Mrs. J. Poppy, Deputy Director, Dryland Agriculture, Kudumbam, 17/22 Highways colony, Subramaniyapuram, Tiruchi: 620 020,Tamil Nadu, email: kudumbamtry@yahoo.co.in, mobile:9842833187, phone: 0431-2331879 and 2331842.

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