Economic security for farmers through farm ponds and ring wells

Climatic Vulnerability

Aliba village of Mokokchung is well known for off-season cucumber cultivation but of late, the district is experiencing prolonged dry spells leading to drying up of irrigation channels. As a result many farmers have given up off-season cucumber cultivation. Even though sufficient rainfall occurs during the summer, there are no water harvesting structures in the village. Further, most of the farmers are reluctant to dig ponds for rainwater harvesting due to the apprehension that they will lose land for cultivation.

Interventions

Economic security for farmers through farm ponds and ring wells

After convincing the farmers through different meetings, water harvesting tanks and farm ponds with lining were constructed at strategic locations. With this, the farmers are now able to store water for irrigating their crops. An increase in yield of vegetables (15%) was recorded with an additional income of Rs 27500/ha as compared to earlier years.

Ring wells were dug during 2011-12 for supply of assured irrigation. With this intervention, many farmers have started cultivating off-season cucumber which is in high demand. The ring wells are benefitting about 78 farmers by providing irrigation to 12 ha. On an average, the yield of off-season cucumber was 150 q/ha. This intervention has led to increase in area under cucumber cultivation by 50%.

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