Through CSR efforts, the predominantly tribal community has been introduced to solar-powered lift irrigation.
RANCHI, Jharkhand (India CSR): For 80% of farmers of West Singhbhum district, Jharkhand, agriculture has been the primary source of livelihood. Adani Foundation has infused modern sustainable irrigation techniques to uplift the socio-economic landscape of a traditional farming community near the ACC Chaibasa site in the state of Jharkhand.
Solar-powered lift irrigation units covering 169 acres of farmland across 3 villages near ACC Chaibasa unit in West Singhbhum, Jharkhand result in an average increase in yield of Rs. 30,000 per acre.
169 farmers from indigenous tribes have been able to successfuly cultivate Kharif, Rabi, and Jayad crops, nearly doubling their incomes, even increasing youth participation, and reducing migration.
The Foundation is planning to augment the scheme by adding a new 80 HP lift irrigation unit which will further benefit an additional 100 farmers covering 100 acres more of farmland in this financial year.
Solar-powered lift irrigation
Through CSR efforts, the predominantly tribal community has been introduced to solar-powered lift irrigation, resulting in significant positive impacts on the revenue, scale, variety, and continuity of agricultural yield throughout the year. This success has even encouraged the youth and community members here for higher participate in the activity, reducing their need to migrate.
Key Challenges
However, being an area surrounded by dense forest cover, hilly terrain, and rivers, it had always been a challenging activity. During their assessment, the Adani Foundation team identified undulating terrain, rain-fed agriculture, a lack of technical knowledge, limited market access, and huge poverty as some of the primary challenges for the farmers here, of whom 67% (2001 Census) belong to indigenous tribes.
Declining interest in agriculture
Owing to these concerns, the farmers had been unable to make ample and stable income, reeling from the effects of inconsistent crop cycles, as well as the declining interest of the younger generation in agriculture, resulting in high migration to earn livelihoods after the monsoon cultivation. Hence, CSR efforts have been focused on ensuring livelihood sustainability with the support of sustainable irrigation options.
With a vision of supporting year-round irrigation, the CSR team narrowed down on solar-powered lift irrigation units, which facilitate a stable supply of water to wider patches of farmland, irrespective of terrain. A total of 169 farmers from six different Kisan Samitis (farmer groups) across three villages – Dokatta, Kondowa, and Rajanka – of the district have benefitted from the support provided by six lift irrigation units. One of these units (80 HP) covers 95 acres, while five others (5HP) have the capacity to support irrigation across 10 to 18 acres each, covering 169 acres of farmland in all.
Benefitting from a stable water supply, this initiative has not only helped farmers cultivate Kharif, Rabi, and even Jayad crops throughout the year, but the diversion from traditional to cash crops has also resulted in significantly higher yield, an average of Rs 30,000 per acre increase over earlier. This translates to the generation of additional daily income equivalent to 10 human days per acre.
Case Study of Prakash Honhaga
Take, for example, Prakash Honhaga, a beneficiary from Dokatta village. His 1.5-acre farmland has yielded an additional income of Rs. 40,000, thanks to Kharif and Rabi crops made possible by lift irrigation. Additionally, this initiative has reduced malnutrition through regular availability of vegetables and nutritious food for the community.
Further advantages include initiation of agriculture-allied activities such as animal husbandry and food processing in the area. A new fruit tree plantation has also been envisioned in the command area as an added advantage of the lift irrigation system.
And, in a complete turnaround, all these positive impacts have encouraged the youth to take a keener interest in agriculture, and helped the community cut down the need for outward migration. Prompted by this success, the Foundation plans to augment the scheme by adding a new 80 HP lift irrigation unit which will further benefit an additional 100 farmers covering 100 acres more of farmland in this financial year. These irrigation solutions by Adani Foundation at villages near the ACC Chaibasa site underscore their commitment to social responsibility and sustainable development, creating positive impacts, and fostering inclusive growth in West Singhbhum district.
Important Facts
This table provides a structured overview of the key facts, impacts, challenges, and solutions outlined in the provided text.
Here’s a table summarizing the important facts from the story:
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Solar-powered lift irrigation units coverage | 169 acres of farmland across 3 villages near ACC Chaibasa unit in West Singhbhum, Jharkhand |
| Impact on yield | Average increase in yield of Rs. 30,000 per acre |
| Beneficiaries | 169 farmers from indigenous tribes |
| Crop cultivation | Kharif, Rabi, and Jayad crops |
| Income increase | Nearly doubling the incomes of farmers |
| Youth participation | Increased participation, reducing migration |
| Expansion plans | Adding a new 80 HP lift irrigation unit benefiting an additional 100 farmers covering 100 acres more of farmland in this financial year |
| Challenges faced by farmers | Undulating terrain, rain-fed agriculture, lack of technical knowledge, limited market access, poverty, declining interest of younger generation, high migration |
| Importance of agriculture in the area | Primary source of livelihood for 80% of farmers in West Singhbhum district |
| Previous farming challenges addressed by CSR efforts | Inconsistent crop cycles, lack of technical knowledge, limited market access, poverty, declining interest of younger generation, high migration |
| Irrigation solution | Solar-powered lift irrigation units |
| Number of lift irrigation units installed | Six |
| Villages benefited | Dokatta, Kondowa, and Rajanka |
| Capacity of lift irrigation units | One 80 HP unit covering 95 acres, five 5HP units covering 10 to 18 acres each |
| Additional benefits | Increased daily income equivalent to 10 human days per acre, reduction in malnutrition, initiation of agriculture-allied activities, fruit tree plantation planned in the command area |
| Example of beneficiary | Prakash Honhaga from Dokatta village increased income by Rs. 40,000 from 1.5-acre farmland due to Kharif and Rabi crops enabled by lift irrigation |
| Community impact | Reduced migration, increased interest in agriculture among youth |
| Overall objective of the initiative | Sustainable livelihoods, inclusive growth, and socio-economic upliftment of the traditional farming community near ACC Chaibasa site in Jharkhand |
| Company and foundation involved | ACC (Adani Cement and Building Material Company) and Adani Foundation |
(India CSR)
