Irrigation initiative seeds hope in Rajasthan farmers

Nestledamidstthe arid terrain of Rajasthan, Lakheriis surrounded by farmland and villages. The town in Bundi district is situated about 180 km from state capital Jaipur, and crops like wheat, soybean and mustard are commonly grown here. Its residents rely on traditional methods of farmingbut in the recent years, thelack of timely rainfall has become a matter of concern.

The region gets about 638 mm of rainfall annually but lacks an efficient rainwater harvesting, water management and conservation system.As a result of this, the villages here face drinking water shortage during the summer. Over the years, several people have moved out to work as labourers at nearby brick kilns or to other parts of the country in search of a livelihood. 

In Lakheri, the need for irrigation is not just a matter of convenience; it is neededfor sustenance. Driven by the need for an efficient irrigation network to help farmers, the Adani Foundation worked closely with the local communitiesto builda facility in the Kankra Dungar and Utrana villages.

A tributary of the Chambal passes about 4km from these villages,and a system has been set up to supply water from it to nearby farmland through underground PVC pipes.The project benefits nearly 500 farmer families in the villages,who have cultivable land in the ACC Lakheri Cement Project catchment area.In coordination with the local communities, village-level committees have been set up to take care ofthe operation, management, and maintenance of theirrigation system.