Soil & Moisture Conservation
 This programme designed to help farmers in identified moisture stressed districts through scientific soil and moisture conservation projects, continues to bring precious water resources to several rural communities. 278 large and small water-harvesting structures were constructed during the year, taking the cumulative total to 2,813 structures to date. These projects created 4.83 lakh person days of work during the current year for the landless and marginal farmers, taking the total to 13.8 lakh person days of employment. As a result, the total area covered under the watershed programme touched 51,294 hectares, covering some of the country’s severely moisture-stressed districts. These structures provide critical irrigation security to 28,301 hectares and have contributed to the Company’s ‘Water Positive’ status.
These meaningful interventions in watershed development were further strengthened by several public-private partnerships that were forged successfully during the year. The total area to be covered under collaboration with NABARD in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Bihar stands at 34,000 hectares over a period of five years. 49,000 hectares will be covered under the MoUs signed with the Governments of Maharashtra and Rajasthan. As a result of the MoUs signed during the year, the total area targeted for watershed development under various partnerships increased to 83,000 hectares.
Integrated Agriculture Development
These interventions aim to improve farm productivity and contribute to higher incomes by promoting a package of efficient farm practices and technologies. During 2009-10, 79 group irrigation projects were implemented, 230 composting units were constructed and 474 demonstration plots were promoted, covering 1,002 farmers. In addition, 205 hectares under Integrated Pest Management (IPM) spices and Medicinal Aromatic Plants (MAP) were promoted during the year. |
