The Bundelkhand experience: restoration of water bodies for the transition to natural farming

The Bundelkhand region, despite a significant level of annual precipitation (about 1000 mm), experiences a severe water shortage. Due to irregular rainfall, dry spells, and the decay of traditional hydraulic structures, such as talabs (Chandelkalein and Bundelkalein types), small-scale farmers face difficulties in growing a second harvest.

A project launched by NITI Aayog, with the participation of local administrations and NGOs, has allowed farmers to use silt extracted during the cleaning of water bodies to improve soil quality in their fields. This material, which farmers call "black gold," was supplemented with the application of bio-preparations Jeevamrut and Beejamrut. These agents are produced by Bio-Input Resource Centres, led by women, who also provide farmers with local seed.

This initiative demonstrates the potential of integrating two areas: water resource restoration and the transition to natural farming methods. In India, there are more than 24 lakh water bodies, many of which require desilting. Parallel to this, the country's agricultural sector is heavily dependent on purchased inputs, the costs for which are projected at 3.5 lakh crore rupees in the current year.

The experience of the experiment participants shows that combining efforts within government programs, such as Mission Amrit Sarovar, regional schemes like Maharashtra’s Galmukt Dharan, Galyukt Shivar (GDGS), and the National Mission on Natural Farming, can increase operational efficiency. Voluntary transportation of silt by farmers reduces government costs for water body maintenance. Furthermore, this approach increases water availability both on the surface and in aquifers, while simultaneously stimulating the development of local enterprises and contributing to climate resilience without creating large-scale new infrastructure.