Rajasthan is arid land but 60% of the state's population continues to be dependent on agriculture for their livelihood. 74.9% of the land is under cultivation and more than 75% of this area is rain-fed. Farm ponds is a community rainwater harvesting initiative which aims to bring resilience to local farming communities by making them self-sufficient in water. These water-harvesting structures aim to increase farmers’ income, production, and food security by addressing farmer concerns such as climate variability and lack of water storage. The initiative started in 2022 for farmers with less than 5 hectares of land has enhanced: Water & resilience
Rise in groundwater table and increased water availability for irrigation and domestic use.
Reduced dependency on rainfall through effective irrigation methods such as drip, sprinkler and basin irrigation.
Increased water storage capacity Improved water management through rainwater harvesting and efficient water use practices. Production & Revenue
Multiple crop rotation leading to increased crop diversity and yield per farm.
Increased probability for cash crops due to improved water availability.
Reduced dependency on chemical fertilizers and increased use of organic methods.
Opportunities for multi-cropping, leading to increased annual food production and revenue.
Increased livestock well being through improved water availability for both farming and animal husbandry.