August 14th 2024.
In the district of Sundargarh, located in the state of Odisha, efforts are being made to support and improve the agricultural sector. One such initiative is the construction of farm ponds, which is being funded by the Odisha Mineral Bearing Areas Development Corporation. The aim of this project is to provide irrigation facilities to farmlands, ultimately resulting in better crop yields throughout the year.
As per the latest updates provided by OMBADC, a total of 262 farm ponds have been excavated in Sundargarh district. Out of these, 238 are being implemented by the Directorate of Horticulture, while the remaining 24 projects are being carried out by the Directorate of Soil Conservation and Watershed Development. These farm ponds have proven to be a game-changer for the district, which is mainly inhabited by tribal communities and surrounded by hills and forests.
The agricultural community in Sundargarh is heavily dependent on cultivation for their livelihood. However, due to water scarcity, they were not able to grow crops consistently. With the construction of farm ponds, this issue has been effectively addressed. For instance, Sanjukta Patel, a beneficiary from Mangaspur village in Tangarpali block, shared her success story. She stated that earlier she struggled to grow crops, but now she is able to cultivate diverse crops, including vegetables, and earn a profit of `1 lakh annually.
The process of identifying beneficiaries and providing them with the necessary support for the excavation of farm ponds has been crucial in the success of this project. The officials responsible for overseeing this initiative have also highlighted its positive impact on the standard of living of the farmers. The construction of farm ponds has not only provided sustainable livelihood opportunities for the farmers, but it has also significantly improved their overall living conditions.
One of the main advantages of having farm ponds is that they prevent farmlands from remaining unproductive. By storing water throughout the year, farmers are now able to cultivate a variety of crops and earn a decent income by selling them. This has been especially beneficial in light of the changing climate patterns, which have caused erratic rainfall in the region. As experts have pointed out, most of the water from rainfall ends up flowing into rivers and seas. Therefore, having farm ponds has become a necessity to ensure consistent crop production.
Apart from the construction of farm ponds, other projects are also being implemented in the district to address water scarcity. These include water harvesting, check dams, and solar-powered deep borewells. With these multiple initiatives in place, it is evident that the district of Sundargarh is taking significant steps towards ensuring a sustainable and prosperous future for its agricultural community.
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