Jal Sanjivani

Jal Sanjivani is an integrated watershed management program aiming to build a climate-resilient agrarian community. The project ensures water and food security through constructing water harvesting / recharging structures.

Geographies:

State	District	Block	Village
Madhya Pradesh	Damoh	Pathariya	Basakalan, Imaliyaghona, Nandrai
Maharashtra	Solapur	Barshi	Surdi, Yawli, Rastapur, Undegaon, Irle

Two different locations with different climatic, geomorphological and agricultural zones were selected. Both had the common problems of drought, water scarcity, unjustified cropping patterns and poor socio-economic condition of small and marginal farmers and women. The communities lacked awareness about correct water usage and cropping patterns.

Objectives:

To promote sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural practices.
To protect and conserve the soil by minimizing fertile soil loss in fields.
To conserve and augment the water on the surface and in aquifers through run-off control.
To promote advanced agricultural practices, improving productivity and optimizing the use of irrigable water to increase the cropping area.
To build capacities of village-level institutions.
To increase the roles of women and the landless in decision making by providing alternative livelihoods.

Jal Sanjivani

Latest Updates

Jal Sanjivani Project Introduces Mushroom Cultivation to 157 Beneficiaries

16th April 2024

Oyster mushroom production ranks as the second-largest among mushrooms globally. However, in our country, there persists a lack of awareness regarding mushrooms. Cultivating oyster mushrooms necessitates only a small space, entails minimal investment, and promises high profitability. Rich in protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals while being low in calories and fat, oyster mushrooms constitute a healthy addition to various diets. The cultivation process is remarkably straightforward and inexpensive.

Under the Jal Sanjivani project, we introduced mushroom cultivation as a means to promote livelihood activities among 157 beneficiaries. These individuals were educated on mushroom cultivation techniques, with 157 units being demonstrated. Spanning various backgrounds such as small landholding, labor class, and landless farmers (both male and female), these farmers have successfully cultivated high-quality mushrooms, which they sell in the open market and nearby communities. Additionally, they dry and store mushrooms for sale to our mushroom vendor. Fresh mushrooms fetch a price of Rs.150-160 per kilogram, while dried mushrooms command Rs.500-700 per kilogram, contingent upon quality. With a cropping season consisting of three cycles, these farmers have witnessed a significant income boost, totaling Rs.5,62,500 per season.

Impact of Goat Rearing Initiatives in Jal Sanjivani Karjat and Abhyuday Project Purandar Block

16th April 2024

Goats, renowned for their multifunctionality, play a pivotal role in both the economy and the nutrition of landless, small, and marginal farmers across the country. Widely practiced in rural areas, goat rearing serves as a prominent enterprise among a significant portion of the population. With substantial domestic demand, goats stand as one of India's primary meat-producing animals. The adoption of intensive and semi-intensive systems for commercial production is steadily gaining traction.

In Jal Sanjivani, Karjat, our focus lies on providing two goats per beneficiary. In the fiscal year 2022-23, we procured 10 goats (2 males & 8 females) from the Regional Agricultural Research Station, Karjat, featuring a special breed tailored for the Konkan region with attributes such as resilience to high rainfall and disease resistance. Not only emphasizing income-generating activities but also propagation and conservation, our Jal Sanjivani Karjat project caters to the needs of Integrated Farming System (IFS) farmers, Self Help Group (SHG) members, and others. Within a year, three healthy offspring were born, with five more goats expecting this year. Beneficiaries express high satisfaction with this breed, evident from the increasing demand among villagers, reflecting a positive response. The projected increase in farmer income ranges from ₹60,000 to ₹1,00,000 per farmer annually.

In the Abhyuday Project, Purandar block, we introduced a novel concept of a Goat bank, offering two pregnant goats per beneficiary from a local variety. From their offspring, we collect one female goat (one time) after six months, redistributing the benefits to other beneficiaries. Selection criteria prioritise single mothers, widows, the physically handicapped, and landless, daily wage farmers to bolster their annual income. Over two financial years (2022-23 & 2023-24), we have supported 146 families (46 + 100), resulting in a comparable increase in farmer income. The rising demand from villagers underscores the significant positive impact of our initiatives.