Reaping benefi ts

Project Summary

Reclamation of saline land, introduction of overhead tank-based drip system and organic vegetable cultivation

Implemented by Pune DCCB and Dr. Reddy’s Foundation (DRF)

The project is based on an innovative Bank-

NGO model which combines the strengths of

two organisations. The primary role of Pune

District Central Cooperative Bank (DCCB ) is to

disburse and recover the loan from small and

marginal farmers. Dr. Reddy’s Foundation (DRF)

- a CSR wing of Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories,

(Hyderabad) identifi es eligible borrowers,

implements the UPNRM interventions using a

credit+ approach. The project also mobilises

the CSR funds of Dr Reddy’s Foundation. It aims

to reclaim saline ingressed lands of small and

marginal farmers for cultivation by using modern

scientifi c techniques such as the ‘subsurface

drainage method’. Overhead drip irrigation and

vermicomposting are also being implemented

under the project.

Project Location

Daund Block of Pune district, Maharashtra

Project Facts

UPNRM SupportLoan assistance of R 160 lakh repayable after a period of 5 Years (including 2 years moratorium for sub-surface drainage).Grant Assistance of R 20,50,000

Project Duration5 years

Number of ParticipantsAround 20 villages in Daund block of Pune district covering 346 Farmers.

Project Rationale

Higher level of ground water table -- from the nearby River Bhima in Daund block of Pune -- has caused excess retention of water in the top layer of soil and restricted soil aeration. Th is makes the land turn saline rendering it unfi t for cultivation. It also results in low productivity thus hampering income opportunities of the farmers. Th e project aims to reclaim such saline lands and make it fi t for cultivation. Other major project components are popularising overhead tank-based drip irrigation system and introducing organic vegetable cultivation by practising vermi-composting, eff ective use of cow urine and cow dung and Nadep model of composting.

Project Approach

Reclamation of Saline Land and reviving it for cultivation through Subsurface Drainage

Th e project villages are situated on the banks of the River Bhima. Th is area has high ground water tables beyond its recommended levels. Th is causes the land to have restricted percolation and aeration. Th e land also has high salt deposits on the surface. Healthy crop growth thus is a challenge. Nearly 40 per cent of the cultivable land of the area has turned saline. Under this Project, land is treated through the ‘subsurface drainage method’ to revive its soil health. Th rough this method a pipe structure is provided below the ground which creates an escape route for the excess water. A tap at the tail controls the outfl ow of water being drained out. In this method, perforated pipes are used. Subsurface drainage is considered a permanent solution to reclaim saline soil.

Overhead Tank based drip irrigation system:

Under the tank-based irrigation system, small and medium farmers grow seasonal crops such as vegetables. Th ey are assisted during the initial capital expenses for building a storage tank with a capacity of 5000-8000 litres and for installing drip irrigation. Th ey store their water as and when electricity is available. Th ey fi x the drip system to the tank and irrigate their lands through gravity force thus overcoming the issue of erratic electricity supply. Th e drip system besides saving water is highly eff ective in increasing the land’s productivity and also reducing the cost of cultivation.

Impacts of the Project

• Since the project has recently started implementa-tion, it is expected that around 186 acres of saline land will be reclaimed and will be brought under cul-tivation after two years. Farmers will be able to earn nearly R 50,000 additional income after the lapse of two years.

• Further, around 30 farmers are being supported for adopting the tank-based drip irrigation systems which has enabled them to grow crops, particularly vegetables throughout the year by using available irrigation water.

• Th e organic farming initiative enhances the quality of available land.

Sanjay B BhosaleChief Executive Offi cer

Pune District Central Cooperative Bank4B B J Road, Pune GPO

Pune 411001Mobile 9822436613, 020 26139192

Mr. Kantilal DeshmukhManager, Dr. Reddy’s Foundation

6-3-655/12, Somajiguda, Hyderabad -500082Mobile: 9860347598

Organic Farming:

Th e project has introduced effi cient methods of preparing organic farm manure from locally available sources.

(a) Farm yard manure storage pit

(b) Compost Pit

(c) Vermi compost unit

(d) Cow urine collection and preparation of Panchagavya and Jivamrit

(e) Sugarcane trash composting and de-trashing/mulching

Organic manure is a cost-eff ective substitute of chemical fertilisers and they are known to increase the soil’s fertility.