Year-Round Crop Production Transformed in Mountainous Region thanks to Innovative Rain Conversion Technique: Jalkund
In the challenging terrain of the North Eastern Himalayas, a simple yet effective water harvesting solution called Jalkund is making a significant impact on local agriculture and food security.
These small, lined ponds are designed to capture and store monsoon rainwater, providing irrigation during dry months and increasing agricultural productivity. The ponds, which can hold between 30,000 to 150,000 litres, are dug in locations where rainwater naturally flows and prevent water runoff and soil erosion common in the steep hilly landscape.
The region receives around 1500 mm of rainfall annually, but due to rapid runoff, less than 1% is traditionally utilized for agriculture. Jalkunds address this inefficiency by capturing water that would otherwise be lost, improving water availability during critical dry periods.
This improvement breaks the cycle of one-crop farming per year and mitigates crop losses linked to dry spells, enhancing food security for marginal hill farmers vulnerable to climatic variability. Cropping intensity has increased by 30-40% in areas where Jalkunds have been adopted, allowing for fields to be green with vegetables and pulses during the winter.
Vegetables like tomatoes, cabbage, cauliflower, and peas thrive with timely irrigation from Jalkund water. The stored water can also be used for irrigating pulses and other crops during the rabi season. With Jalkund, farmers can grow a second crop after harvesting rice or other kharif crops, moving from single cropping to double cropping.
The availability of water from Jalkund benefits not only farming but also livestock, home gardens, and small-scale fish farming, further improving household nutrition and incomes. Stored water in Jalkund helps recharge groundwater levels, contributing to the overall ecological balance of the region.
The construction and upkeep of Jalkunds often involve local labor, creating small job opportunities in many villages. Farmers in some villages work together to dig ponds, lay the lining, and maintain the structures, building community bonds.
The initial investment for a Jalkund includes costs for excavation, lining material, and labor. Regular maintenance is essential to prevent damage to the lining and to keep the pond clean. The inside of a Jalkund is lined with materials like Silpaulin sheets to prevent seepage.
Government schemes, NGOs, and farmer cooperatives can help overcome challenges by providing financial support, training, and technical guidance. Wider adoption, proper training, and regular maintenance could make Jalkund a key tool for sustainable farming in hill regions.
In conclusion, Jalkund water harvesting solutions have proven effective in the North Eastern Himalayan Region by providing a low-cost, locally adaptable technology that positively impacts water management and agricultural outcomes in the challenging terrain.
- Implementing Jalkund water harvesting solutions in environmental-science experiments could provide insights into its effectiveness in mitigating climate-change impacts on agriculture in various terrain types.
- As people adopt sustainable-living practices, integrating home-and-garden systems with Jalkund water storage could ensure a steady water supply for irrigation, thus reducing reliance on groundwater resources.
- By promoting the use of Jalkunds in lifestyle choices, we can create a ripple effect towards a greener lifestyle, helping to secure food security and improve local economies in the North Eastern Himalayan Region.
