Low-cost micro-rainwater harvesting technology (Jalkund) for new livelihood of rural hill farmers

It is an irony that an area like the Northeast known for its high precipitation rate, suffers from water scarcity during post-rainy season (November to April). In the absence of major and medium irrigation potential/facilities, the alternative method is to explore minor irrigation potential through effective water-conservation measures. A low-cost rainwater harvesting structure called Jalkund of varying capacity (6000–30,000 l of water) has been developed for the hilltops at the ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya. However, farmers may have option for the capacity according to their water requirement for the crop intended to be cultivated and also for diversified use of stored water in various farm activities like crop, livestock and fish production during post-rainy season (stress period). The Jalkund was made up of clay and cow-dung plastering followed by 3–5 cm cushioning with dry pine leaf, laying down of 250 μm LDPE black agri-film and covering with 5–8 cm bamboo thatch. The study revealed that the cost/I of stored water was Rs 0.14 during the first year considering Rs 4205 of total cost which came down to Rs 0.046/l of stored water during the third year owing to negligible maintenance cost. Feedback from beneficiaries envisages that 30,000 l of stored water in Jalkund could support 200 tomato plants, rear five piglets or two ducks or 50 poultry birds along with reasonable amount of fish seeding from November to April. Using stored water economically in various farm activities is the most acceptable and profitable one particularly to those in the hilltops, who are the worst sufferers due to water scarcity. This economically viable and easily adoptable technology needs to be popularized among large sectors of farmers.