The 'Partners for Water Access and Better Harvests in India' initiative, led by the Rotary Club of Delhi Premier, aims to make farming more resilient and lucrative for around 60,000 farmers in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra,an official statement said.
The key goals of the project, which has received a USD 2 million (Rs 16 crore) grant from Rotary International, include:
1. Increasing groundwater tables by 10-15% each year through water conservation measures
2. Extending cultivable area by 20-30% by enhancing water availability for irrigation
3. Boosting the incomes of participating farmers by an estimated 25-30%
4. Implementing drip irrigation across 4,113 hectares and promoting plantation of native trees/crops to reduce soil erosion
Rotary members will collaborate with government agencies, experts and NGO partners to train farmers in modern techniques like rainwater harvesting, drip irrigation and climate-resilient agricultural practices.
"With over half of India's farmers dependent on rainfall, this project can be a panacea by securing water for irrigation and boosting crop yields," said Sudhanshu Pachisia, president of the sponsoring Rotary Club of Delhi Premier.
The mega initiative reinforces Rotary's work of over a century in executing sustainable community projects globally worth USD 5.5 billion through its charitable foundation.
