As 75% of India's population is dependent on agriculture, agriculture is a priority over the Indian economy. With this in mind, the Government of India has given priority to agriculture in the Eighth Five Year Plan. One third of the total arable land of our country is under dry farming. While only 3% of the total cultivable area of Gujarat gets the benefit of irrigation and the rest of the area is rainfed only. But a study of rainfall figures for the last few years has revealed that the rainfall in the Saurashtra region is usually 30 to 5 mm per annum. As much as is divided in just a few days. Due to erratic and insufficient rainfall in the area, its cultivation is adversely affected, such as early onset of rains or often late onset of rains, as well as low rainfall, which creates adverse conditions for kharif and rabi crops. To cope with the above heterogeneous conditions it becomes necessary to make efficient use of the water available through rainfall. So other than artificially irrigating for successful crop production during this period. There is no solution.
Designs for rainwater harvesting for rural areas:
Direct storage of rainwater is called rainwater harvesting. In addition to rainwater harvesting, other activities include groundwater and groundwater harvesting as well as hydrological studies and efficient use of engineering resources for mankind.
Artificial recharge method:
Any man-made scheme or facility that pours water into an aquifer is called an artificial recharge system.
Dug wells
Large diameter wells are usually dug in the ground until the water level is high. Supported by brick masonry or stone walls. These wells are usually kept around 0.5 unit in diameter.
Rainwater harvesting system:
(1) Collection of rain water flowing from the surface of the soil
(2) Collection of water directly from a building or other construction
In rural areas, most of the rainwater from the land surface flows from farms, seams to rivers. This is done by stopping the flowing water and filling it with water in a proper manner.
(A) Main methods of rainwater harvesting in rural areas
There are two main methods of water storage in rural areas,
(1) To collect rain water on the land for future use,
(2) Recharge ground water.
(3) Collecting and milling of water through farm ponds.
Storing rainwater on the surface of the land is the traditional method and building ponds, check dams, underground tanks and storing rainwater is a new area. According to the new thinking, the following constructions or designs can be constructed and stored for rainwater harvesting in rural areas in general.
(1) Pits: Recharge pits are constructed to recharge shallow water bodies. These pits are made 1 to 2 meters wide and 2 meters deep in which sand and gravel are filled.
(2) Creeks: Useful for recharging shallow aquifers which are 0.5 m wide, 1 to 15 m deep and 10 to 20 m long. They are filled with filter material.
(3) Recharge by handpump: Shallow as well as deep water bodies This method is used in rural areas for water recharge. If the amount of water is low, this water is passed through a filter and allowed to go to the handpump.
(4) Recharge wells: 100 to 200 mm for recharging deeper water bodies. Diameter wells are usually made. Water is passed through the filter material so that these wells are not choked up.
(5) Recharge shaft: Shaft with a diameter of 0.5 to 5 meters and a depth of 10 to 15 meters is made to recharge the shallow water bodies which are below the soil layer. It is filled with gravel, sand etc. filter material.
(6) Excavated wells which are not in operation at present: Excavated wells are used as recharge unit. Water is passed through a filter material before being recharged.
(7) Horizontal shaft with borewell: Useful for recharging shallow as well as deep water bodies. Shafts are 1.5 to 8 meters wide and 10 to 20 meters deep and cat borewells are made as required.
(8) Spraying method: This method is used when the unsaturated layer of soil is at the top. Water is released into the drains by constructing check dams, culverts, small ponds etc.
(B) Water storage through farm ponds:
Farm swings can be made of three types
(1) Excavated farm pond:
In excavated farm ponds, low-lying or flat lands are excavated and embankments are constructed from the excavated soil. Ponds can be constructed according to the availability and use of water. So such farm ponds are built more and more.
(2) Ponds above springs:
Rainwater from mountains or highlands stays for a long time in the form of small springs in low lying areas, ponds are constructed by setting up storage places in suitable places on them, and such lakes are more likely to be built in high rainfall areas.
(3) Ponds built along the side of the stream:
By properly excavating and constructing the side of the stream flow, water is collected by diverting the water of the spring.
Benefits of farm ponds:
(1) In monsoon, in case of crop crisis, when the rains are more, the crop can be saved by giving one or two life saving irrigation.
(2) Good growth can be achieved by irrigating rabi season crops like rye, chickpeas etc. at the time of sowing or if two limited irrigations are given, the yield of the crop is increased.
(3) Water stored in dry areas can be used for drinking by animals as well as other household uses.
(4) Fish farming and organic manure (biofertilization) can be produced in farm ponds.
(5) The silt that is eroded with the water in the farm pond is frozen at the bottom of the farm pond as the water is drained which can be added to the fields as fertilizer to increase the crop production.
(6) Water is stored underground from the farm pond, hence the water level of the well rises in the low lying area.
Site selection for farm pond:
The choice of location is important as the farm pond is a long term project. Therefore, in which corner of the farm or farm should the farm pond be selected so that sufficient amount of water can be stored and water can be used efficiently at low cost.
Points to consider for the selection of the location of the farm pond
• Farm ponds to be done by one farmer More than one farmer whose land is close to each other can make long term plans on a cooperative basis.
• Which corner of the farm pond should be constructed so that all the water of the farm can be obtained and water can be used efficiently at low cost.
• The low or natural pitted part of the farm should be chosen so that the need for excavation and shifting can be made at a lower cost.
• The geological properties of the farm pond space should be such that the wastage of water due to leakage can be prevented.
• By storing water in an area that has a geographically natural ideal, the surface area of the water will be less so that evaporation of water can be prevented.
• The location of the farm pond should be close in terms of its water utility.
• Selection of farm pond site should be done with chemical, unclean water from sewer or factory.
• There should be adequate arrangements for disposal of excess water after the farm pond is filled.
• The upper part of the farm pond should have a surface to prevent soil erosion so that the capacity of the farm pond is maintained for a long time.
Other methods of rainwater harvesting,
(1) Cultivation on contour line and construction of live grass fence for more moisture storage.
(2) Plowing and planting in opposite direction of the slope.
(3) Deep plowing after harvest.
(4) Use the nickname method.
(5) Use of organic fertilizers and mortar to increase the moisture storage capacity of heavy soils.
(6) Adoption of modern method of intercropping, mixed cropping, strip cropping etc.
(7) To build fences around the farm and make a living farm.
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