SOLAR COMMUNITY IRRIGATION SCHEMES IN C.G.

1.      Introduction: Solar Community Irrigation is a type of irrigation system where a group of farmer can use a single water source for irrigating their lands with the help of Solar Systems. The water source can either be a Surface water source or be a Ground water source. But in view of continuous lacking ground water level we recommend to use Surface Water Sources for Solar Community Irrigation Schemes.

2.      Need of Solar Community Irrigation System : In Rural and/or undeveloped areas of Chhattisgarh where there is no power grid/less availability of electricity and more water is needed the choice for powering pumps are usually a fuel driven engine, usually diesel. If we take a look in the field of agriculture in Chhattisgarh state, thousands of waters sources are not in use in absence of connectivity of those water sources from grid line. Therefore the concerned farmers do not have any option for irrigating their lands except natural rainy water.

               In view of the above Solar community irrigation scheme is the best option for those kinds of farmers, whose farming lands are located on such places, can be able to use surface water sources available near their farming lands.

3.     CREDA’s Initiative for Solar Community Irrigation System:

Completed Projects: CREDA has initiated with some small projected area in the field of Solar Community Irrigation. Those schemes were funded by Tribal Welfare Department.  CREDA has completed a total no. of 125 small projects with Solar Pumps ranging from 02-05 HP under the scheme in Chhattisgarh till now.

4. Success Story on a Completed Project of Solar Community Irrigation Scheme of District Jashpur:

Chhattisgarh state consists of 27 districts, Jashpur is one of the backward districts of the state. It is situated in the north-eastern part of the State. Area of the district is 6088 sq Km. It is rich in forest resources and the majority of its Population belongs to the Scheduled Tribes. Land is mainly of two types, Balua Soil in hilly region which is not fertile, mixed type of crop is grown here, land in plain area is fertile. The main perennial rivers of the district are Lawa, Ib, Maini and Shankh. climate of the district is very peculiar with upper ghat much colder while lower region is warm. The climate here is moist as heavy rainfall occurs here. The average rainfall of the district is 1512.8 MM. total irrigated area in jashpur is 291497 hectare out of which 17812 hectare is net cropped area. As per  official data, there are 41 minor irrigation system developed. There are many tiny & small stop dams proposed under various scheme which will bring more area under agriculture.

Ever since emergence of Jashpur as district, it was evident that it has great potential to deliver true sense of high economic value to the state as well as country. To keep up to expectation, it was necessary to fill the critical gaps in the area of infrastructure development, livelihood promotion and other related activities. So, special scheme was required to meet the challenges ahead of tribal district jashpur.

Considering all above mentioned facts CREDA (Chhattisgarh State Renewable Energy Development Agency ) has  formulated and completed two Solar Community Minor Lift Irrigation Schemes in villages Harradipa and Baghmudi of block Duldula of Jashpur District. In These Villages a large no. of farmers were not having any means of electricity for Irrigation. In survey we found that there is approximately 130 acre land was continuously not irrigated in other seasons except rainy season because of lack of electricity. There were having only one-one bore near there agricultural lands in villages. But because of unavailability of electricity, the available bores were also not in use.  Because of unavailability of continuous electricity farmers have no choice except to take only one crop that too in rainy season. For irrigation they were dependent on diesel pumps for which they had to make lot of efforts to buy and bring diesel from distant places.

Under these Lift Irrigation Schemes two Solar Surface pumps one in each village are installed at common water source ie stop dams on perennial rivers. Committees of Farmers are formed  for daily operation and maintenance of the pumps, which also controls scheduling and distribution of water among farmers. Farmers also contributed land for installation of Solar Pumps and construction of overhead tanks of 5 KL in each village.

The outcome of these projects so far is as under:

·         A total of about 30 Acres of farm land is being irrigated under this project.

·         A total of about 2 Lac. litres of water is given for irrigation per day in each village.

·         About 12 Nos. of families were benefitted with this project, which are now growing three crops  like mustard, Paddy, Maize, Potato and other Vegetables etc

·         The economy of these farmers is increased substantially as they don't have to pay for diesel for irrigation after installation of the Solar Pumps.

·         Training was given to farmers to handle troubleshooting related to pump sets.

The basic outlay of providing water supply to the farms is done by constructing a RCC tank, nearby to the solar pump which serves a total of 108 acres of farm land annually. A total of 16 panels (300 Watt) were installed, which is sufficient to run a 5 HP solar pump set.

BENEFITS AND IMPACT OF THE PROJECT

The impact of these kinds of projects on the villagers is immense. Earlier Mono-cropping was the usual practice but with the advent of this community based lift irrigation project, the farmers have started cultivating more crops annually. Since the topography and little options of irrigation facilities available to the farmers makes demand for these kinds of projects. This project has proved to be a boon for the poor farmers since enhances their productivity at a minimum cost and serves as a cleaner and greener option of irrigation.

Subsistence farming is a past and forgotten word for the farmers. This has really helped them to improve their standard of living.