Chinalaxmapur Watershed Development

MARI has played a pivotal role in the successful execution of this watershed development project by leveraging its expertise in sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, and community empowerment. Through its grassroots approach, MARI actively engaged with farmers, landless laborers, and marginalized groups to implement climate-adaptive strategies, ensuring increased agricultural productivity and income diversification.

MARI facilitated the establishment of the Chinnalaxmapur Watershed Development Committee (VWDC) to institutionalize long-term community ownership of the project. By mobilizing resources and advocating for financial support, MARI secured a NABARD grant of ₹2.32 crores for the full-scale implementation phase.

Through targeted interventions like soil and water conservation measures, micro-irrigation, tree plantation, and livelihood support, MARI directly contributed to improving soil fertility, increasing groundwater levels, and enhancing farm productivity. The project’s impact is evident in the rise of crop yields (by 15-25%), expanded vegetable cultivation (from 3 to 25 acres), and increased milk production (from 80 to 120 liters per day).

MARI’s commitment to climate resilience and community-driven development has ensured that the project is not just an environmental initiative but also a socio-economic transformation for the farming communities in the region.

Objectives

Improved soil and water regime for better crop productivity resulting in an increase of income for farmers.
Increased adaptation to climate change through climate resilient farming system approach and diversification of livelihoods.
Integration of risk mitigation products like weather advisory/insurance and other financial products for the farmers.
Creation of a knowledge management system for climate change adaptation in rainfed areas.
Planting trees in suitable areas identified to meet the climate change risk mitigation.
Standards and promote interdependence between the green cover and green manure requirement for improving agricultural productivity.
Provide livelihood support to the landless, single women, small and marginal farmers to earn additional income from off-farm, on-farm and non-form interventions.

"Empowering communities through sustainable watershed management, MARI fosters climate resilience, enhances livelihoods, and ensures long-term agricultural prosperity for marginalized farmers"

Achievements

The VWDC has been registered under Society in the name of “Chinnalaxmapur Watershed Development Committee”.
105 hectares of land belonging to 120families significantly improved productive capacity with the treatment measures implemented under the capacity building phase with an investment of 15.65lakhs.
1350rmt. trench cum bunding, 75stone outlets, 2165 water absorption trenches, 140 rmt. of CCT, 530 staggered control tenches, seed dibbling and plantation have contributed to soil, water and moisture conservation in the CBP area.
15650 man-days of wage employment have been generated through watershed program works.
55 acres of wasteland was brought under cultivation. The major crops grown are Cotton and pulses.
The water levels in wells increased by 2.2 m in CBP area.
The crop yields have increased by 15- 25% due to enhanced availability of soil moisture and an increase in water levels.
The area under vegetable cultivation increased from 3 acres to 25 acres.
The milk production per day increased from 80 to 120litres in the Chinnalaxmapur village.
5 acres have been covered under micro-irrigation.
A feasibility study report for the full implementation phase of the watershed was developed and submited for an area of 1001 hectares andas a result secured a NABARD grant of Rs.2.32 crores

“The project has successfully strengthened climate resilience, improved agricultural productivity, and enhanced livelihoods, paving the way for sustainable development and long-term community well-being.”