Rotary-led water conservation program awarded US$2 million to help farmers in India

"Partners for Water Access and Better Harvests in India” will support climate-resilient agriculture and groundwater water storage to help farmers improve harvests and yields

New Delhi, India (May 28, 2024) — With limited irrigation facilities in India, many farmers are dependent on rainfall, leaving them vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Extreme weather events like droughts, floods, and storms affect soil fertility, crop yields and livestock production – all of which have led to reduced productivity and income for farmers.

To improve water resource management and farming practices in India, a Rotary club-led initiative is making significant strides to help farmers improve their harvests, increase yields, and raise their incomes to help them enhance conditions for their families and create more resilient communities.

Rotary members, experts and technical advisors will collaborate with local and national governments to strengthen farmers’ capacity at the community level in four states – Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra.

The program aims to:

increase groundwater tables by 10-15 percent each year
extend the area of cultivation by 20-30 percent by increasing the availability of water
improve the incomes of approximately 60,000 farmers by an estimated 25-30 percent
introduce drip irrigation to reduce soil erosion on 4,113 hectares (more than 10,000 acres) of land by planting native plants and fruit trees

“In a country where only 50 percent of the arable land is irrigated, I have seen the plight of farmers who pray fervently to the rain gods so that they may have enough bountiful harvest and enough income to survive till the next crop. I have seen the distress in families of the marginalized farmers in years of failed monsoons. Making more water available is the panacea for the more than half of the population that subsists on agriculture”, said Sudhanshu Pachisia, Club President of the program sponsor Rotary Club of Delhi Premier.

Throughout India, Rotary clubs have supported the construction of rainwater harvesting structures and improved irrigation, which allow farmers to harvest crops more than once per year and increase yields.

‘Partners for Water Access and Better Harvests in India’ is Rotary’s fourth Programs of Scale recipient – an annual competitive grant process that awards US$2 million to an evidence-based program that aligns with one of Rotary’s causes and has the capability for scaling-up to help more people. The programs are sponsored by Rotary members in collaboration with local communities and partner organizations.

“Congratulations to the Rotary Club of Delhi Premier and their partners for taking action on their vision to empower rural communities in India to improve their crops and increase their yields through water security and climate-resilient practices,” said Rotary International President Gordon McInally. “With these life-saving and sustainable innovations, farmers can now begin to plant the seeds for a healthier and more hopeful future.”

Rotary members throughout the world develop and implement sustainable, community-driven projects that fight disease, promote peace, provide clean water, support education, help mothers and children, grow local economies and protect the environment. Over the last 100 years, US $5.5 billion has been awarded through The Rotary Foundation – Rotary’s charitable arm that helps clubs work together to perform meaningful, impactful service.

Rotary and partner quotes

Bharat Pandya, Trustee, The Rotary Foundation said, “As People of Action focused on increasing impact, Rotary members invest in relationships, make decisions grounded in evidence, and mobilize their networks to create solutions that last. Programs of Scale is an effort to implement sustainable projects that empower our communities and create measurable impact. I’m very proud that this year’s Program of Scale has been awarded to Rotary Club of Delhi Premier in India for addressing the issue of water scarcity and its impact on agriculture and livelihoods of farmers. The grant will help the club in bringing a change, advancing environmental sustainability, and ensuring a brighter future for rural communities in India.”

Mayank Gandhi, Managing Trustee at Global Vikas Trust said, “I congratulate the Rotary Club of Delhi Premier for getting this prestigious grant to help the farmers of India. We know that it is the poorest of the poor that bear the greatest brunt of the climate crisis, and we at Global Vikas Trust believe that the only way to transform their lives is by sustainable agriculture at scale. We have been planting trees and working on water conservation for several years now, and through this association with Rotary, we hope to help thousands of farmers in one of the worst-hit areas of India, which is drought-prone, poverty-ridden and reports some of the highest numbers of farmer suicides. We look forward to working together on this collaboration and hope that we can impact the lives of farmers significantly in the long term.”

Mr Sharad Jaipuria, Chairman PHD Rural Development Foundation said, “PHD Rural Development Foundation in partnership with Rotary looks forward to empowering farming communities in remote rain-fed rural India. The partnership will focus on climate resilient agricultural practices to improve the socio-economic conditions of 30,000 farmers, with 45 percent being women, by diversifying to high value crops like fruit plantations and multilayer vegetable farming, along with groundwater recharge by generating a water potential of more than 10.45 million Cubic feet through sustainable natural resource management. The project will be executed in an integrated community participatory approach in collaboration with the Government; with the community being one of the key stakeholders."

Prasanna Khemariya, CEO, Self-Reliant Initiatives through Joint Action (SRiJAN) said, We are pleased announce SRIJAN's partnership with the Rotary Club of Delhi Premier to empower women farmers and foster sustainable livelihoods in Jhansi and Niwari districts. Through our combined efforts in water conservation, climate-smart agriculture, and livelihood initiatives, we aim to benefit 1500 women farmers and facilitate the plantation of 7000 trees. This project will create eight crore litres of water potential, transforming 700 acres of agricultural land. Together, we are committed to driving positive change and creating a resilient, prosperous future for rural communities.”

About Rotary: Rotary brings together a global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary connects 1.4 million members of more than 46,000 Rotary clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas. Their work improves lives at both the local and international levels, from helping those in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world. For more information, visit Rotary.org.

About Global Vikas Trust (GVT): GVT is passionately committed to transforming the Indian economy back to its Golden Era by multiplying farmers' income through sustainable agriculture at scale, which includes working on water conservation. #India Can Wait No More!

About PHD Rural Development Foundation: PHD Rural Development Foundation, formed under the aegis of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industries, New Delhi, India established in 1981 is proactively working towards transforming lives of less privileged and low-income communities in Rural India through integrated Environment, Social and Economic Development programs. PHDRDF reaches out to more than 1.5 L people every year PAN India through its various Community Centric initiatives including Water Management, Education, Healthcare, Livelihood, Environment and Training & Skill Development. PHDRDF with support from various Corporates, Public Sector Undertakings, and International Bodies as a part of their CSR & charitable activities co-creates shared values though participatory approach of all stakeholders to impact lives of people at the bottom of the pyramid.

About SRIJAN:SRIJAN (Self-Reliant Initiatives through Joint Action), with more than two decadal of its existence has positively impacted more than 2,80,000 families across 3000 villages in four states (namely, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh) thereby securing and strengthening their livelihood opportunities. SRIJAN is committed to promoting self-reliance among the most marginalized communities in rural India. Through well-designed community-owned interventions around themes like Integrated natural resource management, climate-smart agriculture, and biodiversity conservation, SRIJAN empowers rural families to enhance their livelihoods sustainably. Furthermore, by implementing community-led processes, establishing community institutions, promoting water-use efficiency, conserving local biodiversity, and providing access to the market through Value Chain Development, SRIJAN ensures holistic development for rural communities, especially women. Endowed with the firm belief that collaboration and convergence are necessary for development, SRIJAN works closely with the local grassroots democracy local administration for appropriate targeting and a last-mile delivery of the government-sponsored schemes. Recognized for its impactful work and supported by a range of donors, SRIJAN continues to drive positive change by fostering resilient agriculture practices, strengthening access to natural resources, and promoting environmental Sustainability in rural communities across central belt of the country.

CONTACT:

Rotary: Jyoti Rai, +91 9650591553, jyoti.rai@rotary.org

Rotary in India: Jyoti Rai, +91 9650591553, jyoti.rai@rotary.org;

Maryam Raja, +91 9711017410, maryam.raja@gcihealth.com