As 75% of India's population is dependent on agriculture, agriculture is a priority on the Indian economy, which is why the Government of India has given priority to agriculture in the Eighth Five Year Plan. One-third of the total arable land of our country is under dry farming. While only 27% of the total cultivable land area of Gujarat gets the benefit of irrigation and the rest of the area is rainfed only. But a study of rainfall figures for the last few years has shown that rainfall in the Saurashtra region is usually 250 to 785 mm per annum. As much as is distributed in just a few days. Due to erratic and insufficient rainfall in this area, its cultivation is adversely affected, such as the early onset of rains or often the late onset of rains, as well as low rainfall, creating adverse conditions for Kharif and rabi crops. Efficient use of rainwater is required to cope with the above adverse conditions. Therefore, for successful crop production during this period, there is no other option but to provide water through artificial irrigation.
Design for rainwater harvesting for rural areas:
Direct storage of rainwater is called rainwater harvesting. In addition to rainwater harvesting, other activities include the accumulation of surface and groundwater as well as hydrological studies and efficient use of engineering resources for mankind.
Artificial recharge system:
The plan or facility made for any month or pouring water in the water is called an artificial recharge system.
Wells dug:
Large diameter wells are usually dug in the ground until the water level is high. Supported by brick masonry or stone walls. These wells are generally kept around 0.6 units in diameter.
Rainwater harvesting system:
(1) store the rainwater which flows from the land.
(2) Collection of water directly from a building or other construction.
In rural areas, most of the rainwater from the land surface flows from farms, seams to rivers. This is done by stopping the flowing water and filling it with water in a proper manner.
(A) Main methods of rainwater harvesting in rural areas:
There are two main methods of rainwater harvesting in rural areas.
- Land surface for future use to collect rainwater.
- To recharge groundwater.
- Storage and drainage of water through farm ponds.
Storage of rainwater on the surface of the land is a traditional method and construction of ponds, check dams, underground tanks, and rainwater harvesting is a new area. According to the new thinking, the following constructions or designs can be constructed and stored for rainwater harvesting in rural areas in general.
1. Pits:
Recharge pits are constructed to recharge shallow water bodies. These pits are made 1 to 2 meters wide and 3 meters deep in which sand and gravel are filled.
2. Bay:
Useful for recharging shallow aquifers with width 0.5 m, depth 1 to 15 m, and length 10 to 20 m. They are filled with filter material.
3. Recharge with handpump:
Shallow as well as deep water bodies | This method is used in rural areas for water recharge. If the amount of water is less then this water is passed through the filter and allowed to go to the handpump.
4. Recharge wells:
100 to 300 mm for recharging deeper reservoirs. Diameter wells are usually made. Water is passed through the filter material so that these wells are not choked up.
5. Recharge shaft:
Shafts with a diameter of 0.5 to 3 meters and a depth of 10 to 12 meters are constructed to recharge shallow water bodies which are below the soil layer. It is filled with filter material like gravel, sand, etc.
6. Wells dug which are not in operation at present:
Wells dug are used as recharge units. Water is passed through the filter material before recharging.
7. Horizontal shaft with borewell:
Useful for recharging shallow as well as deep water bodies. Shafts 1.5 to 2 meters wide and 10 to 30 meters deep are made and cat borewells are made as required.
8. Adding method:
This method is used when the unsaturated layer of soil is at the top. Water is released into the drains by constructing check dams, culverts, small ponds, etc.
(B) Water storage through farm ponds:
Farm swings can be made of three types.
(1) Excavated farm pond:
In excavated farm ponds, low-lying or flatlands are excavated and embankments are constructed from the excavated soil. Ponds can be constructed according to the availability and use of water. That is why such farm ponds are built more and more.
(2) Ponds above springs:
Rainwater from mountains or highlands flows for a long time in the form of small springs in low-lying areas. Ponds are built on top of it by setting up a storage place in a suitable place. Such lakes are more likely to be built in hilly and rain-fed areas.
(3) Ponds built along the stream:
Water is stored by diverting the spring water by properly excavating and constructing it next to the spring flow chamber.
* Benefits of farm ponds :
- In the monsoon season, in case of crop crisis, when the rainfall is more, the crop can be saved by providing one or two life-saving irrigation.
- Good growth can be achieved by irrigating 5th season crops like rye, chickpeas, etc. at the time of sowing, or two limited irrigation can increase the yield of the crop.
- Water stored in dry areas can be used for drinking by animals as well as for other household uses.
- Farm ponds can be used for fish farming and the production of biofertilizers.
- The silt that is eroded along with the water in the farm pond freezes and freezes at the bottom of the farm pond which can be added to the fields as fertilizer to increase crop production.
- Farm ponds store groundwater, thus raising the water level in wells in low-lying areas.
Site Selection for Farm Pond:
The choice of location is important as the farm pond is a long-term project. Therefore, in which corner of the farm or farm should the farm pond be selected so that a sufficient amount of water can be stored and water can be used efficiently at a low cost.
Things to consider when choosing a site for a farm pond:
- Farm ponds to be done by one farmer More than one farmer who is close to each other's land can make a long-term plan on a cooperative basis.
- In which corner of the farm or farm should the farm pond be constructed so that all the water of the farm can be obtained and water can be used efficiently at a low cost.
- The low or natural pitted part of the farm should be chosen so excavation and shifting can be done at a lower cost.
- The geological properties of the farm pond space should be such that the wastage of water due to leakage can be prevented.
- By storing water in an area that has a geographically natural ideal, the surface area of the water will be less so that evaporation of water can be prevented.
- The location of the farm pond should be close in terms of its water utility.
- The choice of site for a farm pond should be removed from the sewage or factory with chemical, unclean water.
- Adequate arrangements should be made for the disposal of excess water after the farm pond is filled.
- The upper part of the farm pond needs to have a surface to prevent soil erosion so that the capacity of the farm pond is maintained for a long time.
