In 1992, DHAN Foundation initiated a thematic programme viz., Vayalagam Tankfed Agriculture Development Programme to work on water bodies. The thematic programme soon took shape into a foundation viz., DHAN Vayalagam Tankfed Foundation (DVTF). DVTF’s more than two and half decades working with marginal and small farmers in seven states across the country led to 4443 Vayalagam Farmers’ Association by organizing 297182 small and marginal farm families.

Enhancing Access to Water

DHAN Foundation through DVTF has facilitated rehabilitation of 3000 tanks & Ponds and took up soil & water conservation measures in 105 watersheds through the Vayalagam Farmers’ Organization. In addition to restoring the physical structures of the irrigation tanks, DHAN has facilitated proper maintenance of the tanks, efficient water management and improved cropping practices to ensure sustainable crop production. In all these rehabilitation works, the farmers have shared one fourth of the cost of rehabilitation by contributing either cash or labour. Rehabilitation of irrigation tanks has increased availability of water for more area for cropping. Earlier all these tanks and the command area were facing water storage problem towards the end of the cropping period, as tank water was inadequate to provide adequate water for even a single crop.

Water Demand Management

Over the years, the crops and cropping pattern have changed due to environment and market factors which have large influence on farming households. The traditional varieties and practices which were drought tolerant have gone and farmers are shifting towards hybrid varieties, which demands more water in a short-duration and also vulnerable to climatic changes. Farmers in thesetype of regions compare farming with “gambling”, where investment is certain and return is unsecured. The entire farming sector is at the verge of retirement and most of the farmers don’t want to engage their children. Farmers have made shift towards groundwater and due to poor recharge mechanisms, they are facing acute water shortage issues.

While many discuss on water supply intervention, DHAN has demonstrated water demand management in rural areas. Addressing the growing water demand requires sound knowledge on traditional practices and adaptive skills. Several interventions made by the organization include shift from high to low water requirement crop, improved cropping practices leading to reduced water requirement, on-field water savings measures leading to improved moisture level in the soils etc.

Farm ponds for life-saving-irrigation

While the tanks serve irrigation water needs of the farmers in the entire command area, creation of farm ponds supplement the irrigation needs of each farm, creating space for the farmers to go in for diversified cropping. These ponds act as ‘shock absorber’ to the farmers. DHAN facilitates building farm ponds to store water ranging from 500 to 1000 cubic meters depending on the farm size. Besides irrigation, the farm ponds are used in multiple ways such as fodder production for livestock, raise vegetable crop on its bunds and for fish rearing. So far, DHAN has enabled the small and marginal farmers to establish over 3000 farm ponds.

Creating access to drinking water

In the water-starved regions of southern peninsular India, acute shortage of drinking water is a common phenomenon every year. The ground water is saline and unfit for drinking and irrigation. Traditionally, surface drinking water ponds (Ooranis) maintained and nurtured over generations by the local communities have been the source of water needs for the millions of people in this region. Each village has two or three ponds, one for drinking, and another for domestic purposes and for animals. Breakdown of community management and poor maintenance have made these water bodies lose their efficacy pushing women to walk 3-5 kilometers every day to fetch water. Harvesting and storing the rainwater is the only way out of this otherwise intractable situation. DHAN has successfully rebuilt drinking water ponds in the drought-prone districts of Tamil Nadu and people have access to drinking water.

Safe Drinking Water through Household Water Treatment

Next to ensuring access to drinking water, the institution addresses the issues of quality of drinking water, as more than 80 per cent of the diseases among the poor communities are attributed directly or indirectly to unsafe water, for which at least 25-30 percent of family’s income is drained towards healthcare expenses. DHAN promotes low-cost household water treatment technology that has proven its efficacy through a significant improvement in the microbial quality of water and reduction in the episodes of diarrheal diseases. Bio-sand filters, adapted from the traditional slow sand filters have been provided to over 3000 households.