In drought-prone Rajasthan, an initiative is helping tribal communities combine hangadi kheti, a traditional multi-cropping method, with modern drip irrigation to use water judiciously and improve their livelihood.
Rajasthan, renowned for its stunning landscapes, also faces significant challenges with desertification and drought. The upper reaches of the Mahi basin, encompassing Sajjangarh, Kushalgarh and Gangad-Talai blocks in Banswara district, face challenges due to erratic rainfall, inadequate irrigation coverage and rainwater runoff due to undulating terrain. This impacts agriculture, the primary livelihood of the people in this region – especially the tribal communities which struggle with low productivity and limited water harvesting structures.
A programme initiated by Vaagdhara, a non-government organisation working in Rajasthan, and Hindustan Unilever Foundation is supporting the local population in these blocks in addressing the challenges arising out of undulating terrain and poor soil, while also helping them with water conservation.
The programme pilots a model where tribal community members revive the traditional multi-cropping method called hangadi kheti and support the water infrastructure by rejuvenating old water structures and constructing new ones. It also aims to enhance livelihoods by optimising water use for agriculture through a local cadre of jal doots and jal swarajis.
Rajasthan’s arid conditions and over-exploited water resources threaten agriculture and livelihoods. Hindustan Unilever Foundation (HUF) and Vaagdhara are dedicated to reversing this trend by empowering local communities.
In Banswara, a hybrid approach has been adopted, blending traditional wisdom like hangadi kheti or multi-cropping, with modern techniques like drip irrigation, fostering sustainable agricultural practices in the region.
In the spirit of sustainability, we’re reintroducing hangadi kheti, which has stood the test of time. This method involves planting multiple crops together. Picture rows of maize thriving alongside legumes and vegetables, all sharing resources and minimising water needs. Pretty impressive, right?
This approach conserves water and boosts crop yields, embodying the wisdom of our ancestors for today’s challenges.
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To complement hangadi kheti, we’re introducing drip irrigation – a modern method that delivers water directly to the roots of plants, ensuring minimal water wastage. This combination of traditional and modern techniques ensures every drop of water counts, making farming more resilient in Rajasthan’s arid conditions.
While we do measure the outcomes of this intervention, we get good feedback from farmers. Bada Khadia of Padla village remembers his father Galia Khadia sowing 7-8 types of seeds together in the same field.
“If there was excessive rain, even if one or two crops rotted because of the rain, the rest would be enough to feed our family. Similarly if there was less rain, some crops would dry up and the remaining crop would help us sustain,” he recalled.
Slowly the crops dwindled to one or two and hangadi kheti mostly disappeared.
“When I heard about hangadi kheti from Vaagdhara and the availability of indigenous seeds, I decided to use the method in two bighas of my land. I grow pigeon pea, sesame, urad, okra, groundnut, cotton, jowar, dangra, chibra, etc. We have started cooking the vegetables from our own land,” he said.
At the heart of the initiative are the jal doots – local farmers trained to be community resource persons. These dedicated individuals engage with fellow farmers, sharing knowledge and techniques to improve water management and agricultural practices.
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Through their efforts, we are not only enhancing farming practices but also promoting self-sufficiency and resilience within the community. Thirty jal doots drive change in 290 villages as part of this process.
The HUF-Vaagdhara partnership is a testament to the power of collaboration. By combining Vaagdhara’s local expertise with HUF’s resources and global perspective, we are creating a successful model for land restoration and sustainable agriculture. Together, we are fostering a future where Rajasthan’s soil thrives and its communities prosper.
Farmers’ testimonies, as reflected in that of Bada Khadia, are proof that the communities will continue to prosper.
Also Read: Reclaiming Rajasthan’s Khakhunda: From barren lands to green pasture
The lead image on top shows a farmer in Banswara district ploughing his field, where he follows hangadi kheti of growing multiple crops. (Photo courtesy HUF)
Sagar Suri is a programme consultant at Hindustan Unilever Foundation. Sohan Nath Jogi is an implementation unit leader in Vaagdhara.
