Sustainability Report 2011

Strengthening Rural Livelihoods

The promotion of watershed management practices to control soil erosion in rain fed tracts is another measure towards strengthening the agricultural base of the farmers. This initiative was further enhanced with the various Government partnerships in different states.

The achievement at the end of this year was 13,204 hectares under the soil and moisture conservation programme. 416 large and small water-harvesting structures were constructed and it created 4.58 lakhs person days of work for the landless and marginal farmers.

As a result, the total area brought under soil and moisture conservation now stands at 64,498 ha while the number of water-harvesting structures increased to 3,229, covering more than 65,000 direct beneficiaries.

Activity	Cum to 2009-10	Performance 2010-11	Cum to date
Water-harvesting
Minor Structures (No)	1,755	228	1,983
Major Structures (No)	1,058	188	1,246
Total Structures	2,813	416	3,229
Watershed Area
Area Treated (Ha)	28,301	10,867	39,169
Critical Irrigation Area (Ha)	22,993	2,337	25,330
Total Watershed Area	51,294	13,204	64,498

Several partnership projects with the state governments and NABARD were initiated during the year. Of these, the Bhilwara IWDP project is in the fourth year while Jalna NREGA project is into the third year of implementation.

Some of the highlights of the partnership programmes include:

In Maharashtra: The PPCP MGNREGA model initiated in Jalna district has attracted attention from various quarters since its inception. Encouraged by its success, the model has emerged as a replicable model for other agencies as well.

In Rajasthan: The objective of ensuring transparency in the payment systems and ensuring payment within 15 days of completion of work was implemented at all the sites. The Panchayat members in the project villages were given intensive training in net planning and preparation of detailed project reports.

In Madhya Pradesh: MoUs were signed with the Panchayat and Rural Development Departments of the Government of Madhya Pradesh for three PPP watershed projects under the 'Integrated Watershed Management Programme' (IWMP). The projects will be implemented in Indore, Ujjain and Mandsaur districts. Two partnership watershed projects were also signed with NABARD in Shajapur and Chhindwara districts.