MADURAI: Groundwater level in Thadayampatti panchayat of Sedapatti block is set to get a huge boost as the district rural development agency (DRDA) is planning to dig 101 farm ponds over the next four months.
Utilising the large workforce of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) at its command, the agency has initiated work on 18 ponds at one go. All the 101 ponds would come up in seven hamlets in the panchayat.
"We are planning to complete as many farm ponds as possible before the northeast monsoon begins. With these ponds, we are going to provide a boost to groundwater table in the region, since every drop of rainwater can be harvested," said DRDA project officer, Rohini Ramdas.
Sedapatti and T Kallupatti, which are primarily agrarian, do not have canal or well irrigation. Most of the agriculture depends on rainwater. Further, the state of groundwater level at Sedapatti block is highly precarious as the table has fallen below 800 feet.
DRDA, Madurai is planning to dig 1,200 ponds in the district using the MGNREGS workforce. Farmers from scheduled caste/tribe and marginalised communities can apply for the same.
Initially, there was not much awareness among the farmers about these ponds. Hence, block-level meetings were held with panchayat presidents to sensitise them on the matter. During the review meeting, the agency found there was huge demand for ponds in Sedapatti and T Kallupatti blocks.
"Farmers found that these ponds will be of great help to them since there is no other irrigation facility available in the region," Rohini Ramdas said.
Farmers are optimistic that these ponds could save the crops when there is a dire need for water in the arid months. I Sangilithevar from Thadayampatti is jubilant that a pond is coming up in his field. He was doubtful when he procured seeds from the horticulture department but he is confident that he can save the crop using the water from the pond.
Besides, DRDA officials are also taking up a study on the groundwater once all the 101 farm ponds are completed in the panchayat. An initial reading has been recorded at present and the groundwater table will be studied again once the farm ponds are ready.
In Madurai district, 710 ponds were dug up during 2014-15. During 2015-16, 1,290 ponds are aimed to be created. So far, 347 ponds are sanctioned at an estimated cost of Rs 255.32 lakh, according to DRDA statistics.
Utilising the large workforce of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) at its command, the agency has initiated work on 18 ponds at one go. All the 101 ponds would come up in seven hamlets in the panchayat.
"We are planning to complete as many farm ponds as possible before the northeast monsoon begins. With these ponds, we are going to provide a boost to groundwater table in the region, since every drop of rainwater can be harvested," said DRDA project officer, Rohini Ramdas.
Sedapatti and T Kallupatti, which are primarily agrarian, do not have canal or well irrigation. Most of the agriculture depends on rainwater. Further, the state of groundwater level at Sedapatti block is highly precarious as the table has fallen below 800 feet.
DRDA, Madurai is planning to dig 1,200 ponds in the district using the MGNREGS workforce. Farmers from scheduled caste/tribe and marginalised communities can apply for the same.
Initially, there was not much awareness among the farmers about these ponds. Hence, block-level meetings were held with panchayat presidents to sensitise them on the matter. During the review meeting, the agency found there was huge demand for ponds in Sedapatti and T Kallupatti blocks.
"Farmers found that these ponds will be of great help to them since there is no other irrigation facility available in the region," Rohini Ramdas said.
Farmers are optimistic that these ponds could save the crops when there is a dire need for water in the arid months. I Sangilithevar from Thadayampatti is jubilant that a pond is coming up in his field. He was doubtful when he procured seeds from the horticulture department but he is confident that he can save the crop using the water from the pond.
Besides, DRDA officials are also taking up a study on the groundwater once all the 101 farm ponds are completed in the panchayat. An initial reading has been recorded at present and the groundwater table will be studied again once the farm ponds are ready.
In Madurai district, 710 ponds were dug up during 2014-15. During 2015-16, 1,290 ponds are aimed to be created. So far, 347 ponds are sanctioned at an estimated cost of Rs 255.32 lakh, according to DRDA statistics.
Source: Times of India
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