Micro-Rainwater Harvesting : Low-Cost Technology (Jalkund) for New Livelihood of Rural Farmers in Western Ghat of Maharashtra

Abstract

Western Ghats, known for its high precipitation rate, suffers from water scarcity during post-rainy season. In the absence of major and medium irrigation potential/facilities, the alternative method is to explore minor irrigation potential through effective water-conservation measures. A low-cost rainwater harvesting structure called Jalkund of varying capacity (6000-30,000 l of water) developed for the hilltops, useful in water management. Farmers may have option for the capacity according to their water requirement for the crop intended to be cultivated and also for diversified use of stored water in various farm activities like crop, livestock and fish production during post-rainy season (stress period). The Jalkund was made up of clay and cow-dung plastering followed by 3-5 cm cushioning with dry pine leaf, laying down of 250 ?m LDPE black agrifilm and covering with 5-8 cm bamboo thatch. The study revealed that the cost/l of stored water was Rs 0.14 during the first year considering Rs 4205 of total cost which came down to Rs 0.046/lit. of stored water during the third year owing to negligible maintenance cost. Using stored water economically in various farm activities is the most acceptable and profitable one particularly to those in the hilltops, who are the worst sufferers due to water scarcity. This economically viable and easily adoptable technology needs to be popularized among farmers.