Convergence With Govt Schemes Improves Productivity

Convergence With Govt Schemes Improves Productivity

Previous Next

Oxfam India’s HRDP initiative titled ‘Project Utthan’, supported by HDFC bank, contributes towards the socio-economic empowerment of people from marginalised communities by aiding them with sustainable livelihood options and improving access to essential services (especially women) across 15 villages in three blocks in Nalanda. For the communities development to be sustainable and with a deeper lasting impact, it is also essential to facilitate linkages with government schemes. One such initiative was the instalment of drip irrigation systems in 10 villages in the Hilsa block. Drip irrigation helps ensure optimum crop growth.

In 2022, Oxfam India chose 10 farmers—with land and keen to experiment with drip irrigation—and installed 0.4 hectare drip irrigation systems in their fields so they could be eventually be linked to the  Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana Scheme. There were 3 from Harnaut block and 7 from Hilsa block in the district. Earlier, the farmers were cultivating their land with bore pumps. To be able to get the drip irrigation system installed in their field, the farmers needed to have 0.4 hectare of agricultural land fit for growing vegetables.

How did we help with the convergence with the govt scheme

This irrigation system requires a lengthy assembly procedure and is fixed in one location. Depending on the distance between the pump and farmland, the system can cost up to Rs 100,000 but the government has provided subsidies. Only Rs 14,482 must be paid by the farmer—which is about 10% of the setup costs. The HRDP project provided conditional cash transfers to support the farmer's share of the payment. In January 2022, Oxfam staff helped with paperwork and negotiations with authorities on behalf of the farmers. The installation process had begun by March 2022. 

Integral to ensuring linkages with government scheme, we continue to organise various farmer trainings in collaboration with government bodies such as the Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA). This is done so that they have all the  on the latest government subsidies and support schemes in the pursuit to provide maximum support to marginalised communities through government policies and schemes.

How does drip irrigation work

Drip irrigation is an advanced irrigation system that drips water onto the soil at very low rates (2–20 litres/hour) through a network of small diameter plastic pipes fitted with emitters or drippers. Water is applied close to plants, wetting only the soil in which the roots grow. Drip irrigation water applications are more frequent (typically every 1-3 days) than other methods, resulting in a very favourable high moisture level in the soil in which plants can thrive.

The drip irrigation system uses a network of mainlines, sub-mains, and lateral lines with emission points spaced along their lengths to deliver water to crops. The dripper delivers a precise, uniform application of water, nutrients, and other required growth substances directly into the plant's root zone. Water and nutrients enter the soil through the emitters and move into the root zone of the plants via gravity and capillary action. In this manner, the plant's withdrawal of moisture and nutrients is almost immediately replenished, ensuring that the plant never suffers from water stress, thereby improving quality, its ability to achieve optimum growth, and high yield.

The farmer is responsible for maintaining the system, and the company that installed it will provide assistance if something goes wrong. For now the farmers are very thrilled with their latest systems in their field. 

"I am very grateful to Oxfam India for getting a drip irrigation system installed in my field through this government scheme. This will improve my agricultural output," said Sachidanad Singh of Keshopur Village.

📢Oxfam India is now on Telegram. Click here to join our Telegram channel and stay tuned to the latest updates and insights on social and development issues.