Case Studies

sectors > Climate Proofing
Irrigating Rural India, Drip by Drip
MAHARASHTRA

THE INITIATIVE

  • Introduction of drip irrigation system for cultivation of sugarcane

THE BENEFICIARIES

  • 16,000 farmers of Shirol and Kolhapur districts, Maharashtra

THE CHALLENGE

  • Repeated use of flood irrigation had led to poor drainage and increased soil salinity
  • Farmers’ belief in the myth that more water leads to higher crop yield
  • Drip irrigation practiced by a negligible percentage of farmers

THE SOLUTION

  • NABARD sanctioned a ? 180 lakh loan to Datta Shetkari Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana Ltd. for installing drip irrigation system in sugarcane fields
  • Capacity-building workshops stressed on how drip irrigation can reduce use of water by nearly 50 percent
  • Appropriate utilisation ensured direct payments to drip manufacturers

THE IMPACT

  • Visible reduction in cost of cultivation after adoption of drip irrigation and Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative
  • Water requirement for sugarcane cultivation down to 940mm per acre 1,500-2,500mm from the earlier per acre
  • Technical demonstration helped farmers adopt new and progressive methods of cultivation
  • Use of optimum fertilisers expected to increase yield by 50 percent