Turning Water Scarcity into Agricultural Prosperity – Transformation Unfolding in Jharkhand

JAMSHEDPUR

A silent agricultural revolution has been unfolding in Bukamdih village in Potka block, East Singhbhum, Jharkhand, where a group of 10 farmers have converged to form a committee dedicated to building and maintaning a Masonry Check Dam (MCD) and solar lift irrigration system, in order to ensure improved livelihood paired with environmental resilience.

The land that was once barren or had low crop yield due to erratic rainfall and shortage of water has now emerged as a scalable model of agricultural productivity and sustainability. Earlier, the land consumed more energy. Irrigation methods failed to combat the water crisis and seasonal migration was reported due to the lack of steady income. After the installation of the masonry check dam and solar lift irrigation system, enabled by Tata Steel Foundation; agriculture and livestock has been steadily blooming, even reducing energy consumption by 60 per cent, promoting climate resilient methods. With assured irrigation in nearly 20 acres land, farmers are now expanding their income opportunities by investing in integrated farming practises. Over 50 per cent households have reported better quality of life after these recent changes.

Over the years watershed management systems have provided farmers a leverage to diversify their income. With regular training and seed support interventions from the Foundation, some of the farmers have been generating steady income from even one acre land. Like Sumitra Puran, from Poradiha village in Potka, who garners nearly 50,000 ₹ from paddy cultivation over one acre land. Even Khudiram Sardar from Upardewli village has been earning nearly 55,000 ₹ from vegetable and fruit cultivation in his one acre land.

Tata Steel Foundation is also committed to promoting Integrated Farming Systems as a sustainable livelihood practise, and works with nearly 8,000 farmers in Jharkhand currently.

Here are few stories of changemakers contributing to sustainable agrarian economy…

Pasupati Puran – Cultivating Success

With seven acres of land to his name and 65 years of age behind him, Pasupati Puran is now reaping the perks of integrated farming systems. Living in Poradliya village, Potka block, Pasupati has constructed a 100 by 100 pond to boost fish rearing and promoting the bunds as arable lands, with the bunds acting as adequate base for vibrant crops. He has developed compost pits to ensure the continuous supply of rich manure to maintain ecological balance and his fields yield high variety crops like arhar, guava, mango, lemon etc. Pasupati now makes 70,000 ₹ from fishery in his pond, 70,000 ₹ from livestock and crops, another 32,000 ₹ from fruits and 20,000 ₹ from arhar crops, making his yearly income close to 2,00,000 ₹. Through this journey, Pasupati has created a legacy of resilience and success through his diversified income from integrated farming, showing the way to a sustainable future, where farming can become a promising source of livelihood.

Jagannath Mahato – A Push for Prosperity

Nestled in Dighi village, Patamda block, lives 46-year-old Jagannath Mahato, earning his livelihood from his six acres land. But until recently, Jagannath earned a meagre 60,000 ₹ per year from his traditional farming methods. In 2024, he constructed a 75 by 75 pond in his land to not only meet the water shortage challenges but also to diversify his income through fisheries. Now, he makes nearly 2,70,000 ₹ yearly, with 1,30,000 ₹ coming only from vegetable cultivation, 50,000 ₹ from fishery and 90,000 ₹ from livestock. With a simple change in his farming practices, Jagannath has witnessed a 70% rise in his annual income which will further help him to scale productivity and expand capacity for livestock and crops.

Malai Pal – Sustainable Successes

In the lush fields of Barajuri block, Ghatshila, Malai Pal’s story of sustainability is a shining example of determination and progress. He runs an electrical shop, honing his enterpreneurial pursuits and dedicates rest of his time to his farmlands. Malai uses the pond bunds to grow variety of seasonal crops and the rest of his land for bhindi, baingan, karela, lauki and other regular vegetables. Currently, he makes 96,000 ₹ from his nursery, 40,000 ₹ from vegetables, 10,000 ₹ from his ducks, 60,000 ₹ from fisheries – bringing his total income to almost 2,06,000 ₹yearly. Malai hopes to utilise some of his profits on his son’s studies who is an engineering student now. He also wants to invest in creating a hub for farmers to deliberate on modern methods of farming and high yield cultivation, apart from setting up duck farm, goat farm and a poultry shed.

Ghaniram Marandi – Setting up a Community Model

Residing in Taraspur village, Ghurabandha block, Ghuniram has developed a sustainable farming model to not only boost his income but also set a community model for other farmers to adopt. He built a 70 by 70 pond at the heart of his farm, supporting fishery, livestock, and high value crop cultivation. Ghuniram’s aquaculture initiative generates 54,000 ₹ annually, poultry earns him 22,000 ₹, vegetable farming yields 36,000 ₹ annually, making his total income 3,00,000 ₹ annually. He now plants to invest his profits in better academic opportunities for his children, enhance productivity with solar energy, scale up livestock farming and adopt more organic practices to ensure high variety produce. Ghuniram is not just focussed on his benefits but is spreading the stories of his successes with his neighbours and farmers in his locality.

Amit Mahato – Reaping Benefits from Agriculture and Allied Activities

Amit Mahato, from Cholagoda village, in Jamshedpur block, adopted the integrated approach to farming in 2021, after consultations with teams from the Foundation. He had a small pond to meet the protein requirements of his family in 2018. Later he expanded the pond to include diversified farming practices like fishery, bund farming etc. Earlier, Amit made a meagre 20,000 – 50,000 ₹ annually from paddy farming. But after adopting this integrated approach, he makes 70,000 – 80,000 ₹ only from fishery, adding more through vegetable, poultry, and livestock farming. Now, he makes a good sum of over 2,00,000 ₹ annually to ensure the welfare of his family, expand pig and hen farming, and boosting his income further through high value crops. Amit’s extraordinary tale has inspired several farmers as he now uses four times less water for his allied farming activities, after adopting watershed practices. His diligent efforts have been recognised by the Governor of Jharkhand as well.

Chanchala Besra – Happiness is Healthy Farming

Transitioning from traditional paddy farming and fish culture, Chanchala has embraced the integrated farming model with guidance and training to boost her yearly income. Her farm supports diverse activities like vegetable cultivation like tomato, brinjal, spinach which thrive alongside her livestock ensuring a sustainable balance in her farm. Chanchala has now doubled her income, earning 30,000 ₹ from fish farming, 60,000 ₹ from vegetables, 40,000 ₹ from duck and livestock, taking her annual income to nearly 5,00,000 ₹. She has used some of her profits to improve her family’s quality of life and the remaining in scaling her profits to ensure a stable future for her family. Chanchala has emerged as beacon of hope for other farmers in her village, who are taking a cue from her journey and investing in watershed activities.